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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 an underground plume of creosote at its contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers say it may be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also used for protecting log homes and other structures against the effects of rot and insect invasion.

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

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

Railroad Cancer Settlements is believed to be a human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with several cancers, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. They say the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread throughout the underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis 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 that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing serious health issues.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim they've been harmed by racism in the environment discrimination, sexism, and other types of pollution that has affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that don't break down quickly in the environment, and can remain in the air, water, or sediment for an extended duration. They are found in a variety of locations, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't yet known but there is evidence that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine disorders, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily taken in by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure can have a detrimental effect on your health, based on numerous factors such as how much you consume, drink, and the frequency you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant is equally important. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts on Friday by the city's health department stated that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. They were banned in 1979 after they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and are often persistent, meaning they are relatively easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

Therefore, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals in the womb.

Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements of exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure, since they are the source of the most PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

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

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, including lower birth weight. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and can be found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two main routes: oral and respiratory.





It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals found in the environment. It is able to accumulate within the body, which could cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

In Houston, people who live near a legacy creosote treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean its contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the company has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the major problems that stemmed from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples in the rail yard is greater than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another major concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful to children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the residents who are breathing them in. To find out more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being done 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 by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia that was five times higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.