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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests show that the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high number of cancers found in the region. Railroad Workers And Cancer into a state-wide health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used to treat wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a dense, oily substance that is amber or black in color and has a smoky scent and a burnt flavor. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.

It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, including fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It can also be employed to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote may be a risky chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can result in skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a serious issue for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to many types of cancer such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination , and take measures to prevent it from spreading.

In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused major health problems from the former rail yard.

They are seeking damages from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil or sediment for a long period. They can be derived from various sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins can cause harm to your health, based on numerous factors , including how much you drink, eat and the frequency you breathe. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster is also essential to consider your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other health factors that may affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is equally important. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department said that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said that the findings were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and hinder learning.

PCBs can be harmful to soil as well as water and air in a variety of regions around the globe after they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

This is why PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to these chemicals during the womb.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.





Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be the result of leaks or spillages in electrical equipment and other.

People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this affects us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. In two studies, children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth and/or later in childhood.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products including paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it via two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating within the body and cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.

In Houston, people who live near a legacy creosote treatment facility 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 clean up its toxic site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the company has been trying to clean up contamination but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the most important problems that stemmed from the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the health department has revealed that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the levels recommended for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow release of creosote in the air. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can be fatal for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who inhale them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that must be addressed immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia that was five times higher rate than expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.