Revision as of 10:22, 30 April 2023 by 46.102.159.55 (talk) (Created page with "Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?<br /><br />For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to...")(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. And now, the latest tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.Researchers believe it could be due to the high rate of cancers in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered 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 is a common chemical employed in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.It is a heavy oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log structures and homes against rot and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote could be an extremely hazardous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a major concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA, it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to many types of cancer that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote because of a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test frequently for contamination and take measures to stop it from spreading.In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and also damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.DioxinDioxins are substances that don't break down in environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil or in sediment for long periods. They can be found in many places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. People who are exposed to higher levels have been found to be at greater risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine imbalances, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems 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 are not volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure to dioxins can be detrimental to your health, depending on many factors , including how much you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your age, gender and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics, as well as other health factors that may determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.Additionally, the type of contaminant can be an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm effect on human health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also harm a person's immune system and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.PCBs can infect soil, water, and air in many regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter and tend to remain in the environment for a long time that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.As a result, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure, since they are the largest source of PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This could be due to spills or leaks that may occur in electrical and other equipment.People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for months or even years.The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to better understand how this affects us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies showed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or a later age.LeadLead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in many products like paints pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body via two main routes: respiratory and oral.It is a potent oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can build up in the body, and could cause serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.In Houston, people who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has tried to eliminate the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents say. Union Pacific Cancer of the most important problems that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples around the rail yard is greater than the recommended levels for drinking water.Another issue is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful for children as well as adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. 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 major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and needs to be taken care of immediately.A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five-fold greater rate than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.