Revision as of 08:06, 28 April 2023 by 46.102.159.93 (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 decades that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.Researchers believe that it could be due to the high incidence of cancers in the region. Two years into a state health investigation and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical that is used to treat wood is also a typical one. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements can also cause cancer in those exposed to it.It is a dense oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It is also used for protecting log structures and homes against decay and insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. Exposure to creosote for short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety kinds of cancers such as esophageal or lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take steps to stop it from spreading.In October 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing serious health issues.They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim that they have been victimized by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.DioxinDioxins are substances that don't break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for a lengthy period of time. They can come from various sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure can have a detrimental effect on your health depending on many aspects, such as the amount you consume, drink, and the frequency you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.The kind of contaminant is equally important. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said that the findings were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be sufficient in light of the findings.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPolychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979, after being found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are generally persistent that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.PCBs are a major concern for the protection of the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals in the womb.PCBs are most commonly consumed through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking Cancer Lawsuits -contaminated water is another method of exposure. Railroad Workers can result from leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last from several weeks to several years.The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to determine how this affects us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or later in life.LeadLead is a toxic metal and is found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: oral and respiratory.It is a potent oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, and could cause serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to cleanse its contaminated facility.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. The company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough, residents say.One of the most important problems that stemmed due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples in the rail yard is greater than the levels recommended for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the slow escape of creosote in the air. As it does, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the people who breathe them in. Cancer Lawsuit -to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors affect the lives of residents.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and should be taken care of immediately.A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.