Revision as of 15:22, 17 April 2023 by 77.75.126.242 (talk)(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination could be affecting residents living nearby.Researchers suggest it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is a common chemical used to treat wood. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber-colored and has a smokey odor and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It is also used to guard log structures and homes against rot and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach pains, burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements -term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.It is believed to be a human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a number of cancers of various types such as esophageal or lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard right next to their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and implement preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil, causing significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.DioxinDioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil or in sediment for a long period. They can be found in many places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, but there is evidence to suggest that they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Railroad Cancer Lawyer who are exposed to higher levels are believed to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine imbalances such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts called chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins can have a detrimental effect on your health, based on numerous aspects, such as the amount you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other health factors that can determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.Additionally, the type of contaminant can be an important factor. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote affect your health.PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a rash of cancer-related deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release said the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate given the findings.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after being discovered to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and build up in the environment.This is why PCBs are a major concern for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure, as they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that last for months or even years.However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to determine how this affects us.The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children who were born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth and/or later in childhood.LeadLead is a toxic metal that is found in a variety of items like paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.In Houston, people who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to remove its contaminated facility.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals for humans, such as creosote. The railroad has been trying to eliminate the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.One of the most important problems that stemmed from the contamination was the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard have more creosote than that recommended for drinking water.Another concern is the slow escape of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to inhale dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for both children and adults.It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to the residents who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to discover more about how the vapors are impacting the residents' lives.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that must be dealt with immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.