[1] Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t done enough to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination may be affecting residents living nearby.Researchers believe it's due to the high number of cancers in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state they discovered higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a popular chemical used for the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.It is a dense oily substance which is amber or black in color and has a smokey odor and burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is an extremely dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns, stomach pain burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for workers who are in 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 to a range kinds of cancers 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 right next to their homes. They say the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread throughout the underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to stop the spread.In October 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. Railroad Workers Cancer claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing significant health problems.They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other kinds of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.DioxinDioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the soil, air, or in sediment for a long duration. They can be derived from various sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine disorders, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure can affect your health, depending on many factors such as how much you eat, drink, and how often you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other health factors that can affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.In addition, the form of contaminant is an important aspect. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They also can harm the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a rash of cancer deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The announcement made by the city's health department said that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of 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 proposal 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 more than 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to remain in the environment for a long time and therefore, are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.Therefore, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Additionally certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed PCBs in the womb.The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure since they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. Railroad Workers And Cancer can be caused by leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't fully known. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to determine how this impacts us.The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.LeadLead is a poisonous metal and can be found in many products, such as pipes, paints and food containers. It is absorbed into the body through two main pathways: oral and respiratory.It is a strong chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your surroundings. It can build up in the body, which could cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.In Houston, people who live near a creosote legacy treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated site.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, like creosote. The company has been trying to get rid of the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient, residents say.One of the most important problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples from the rail yard is higher than the level recommended for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote into the atmosphere. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be dangerous for children and adults.It is possible that the vapors cause cancer for those who breathe them. To learn more about the impact of the vapors on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that needs to be dealt with 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 more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.