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 in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. The most recent tests have shown that contamination could still be impacting residents living near.Researchers say it may be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state health investigation and they found higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote which is a common chemical that is used to treat wood, is also a common one. It is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used for protecting log houses and other structures from rot and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says creosote is a risky chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes chemical burns stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a significant concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.It is considered a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of different types of cancer including esophageal as well as lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and is spreading underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take measures to stop it from spreading.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil under their homes and causing significant health problems.They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They also claim to be victimized by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down quickly in the environment, and can remain in the soil, air, or sediment for a lengthy time. They are found in a variety of locations, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.But it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that will have negative effects on your health will depend on several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat and how often you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.The type of contaminant is crucial. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others for the health of humans. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote. Cancer Lawsuits can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm 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 cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department claimed that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The announcement said that 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 a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate given the findings.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPolychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and interfere with learning.PCBs can contaminate soil or water as well as air in many parts of the world after they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.In the end, PCBs are a major issue 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 found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Furthermore certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Another way to be exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills in electrical and other equipment.Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through the skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.The effects of PCBs on human health are still not fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but further studies are needed to discover how this impacts us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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.LeadLead is a poisonous metal and is found in many products, including paints, pipes and food containers. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory.It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals found in the environment. This could cause it to build up within the body. This can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote facility have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. The company has been working to get rid of the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful to children as well as adults.It is possible that the vapors cause cancer among those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to discover more about how the vapors affect the lives of residents.This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. Cancer Lawsuit 's a sad state of affairs and it should be taken care of immediately.A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia that was five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.