Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. And now, the latest tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect those who live nearby. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote which is a common chemical that is used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.It is a heavy oily substance which is black or amber-colored and has a smokey odor and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It is also used to protect log structures and homes against the effects of rot and insect invasion.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote may be a hazardous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.According to the EPA the EPA, it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with many types of cancer such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.In October of 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused significant health problems from the former rail yard.They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be suffering from environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can be found in the air, water, or in sediment for a long time. They are found in a variety of locations such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed is through food and water. They are not liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood.It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could cause harm to your health, based on numerous factors , including how much you consume, drink, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that may influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.The type of contaminant equally important. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as 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 can also damage the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer-related deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department claimed that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not a good sign. 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 won't suffice.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being shown to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter and tend to be persistent that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.This is why PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health 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 show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure, since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical or other equipment.People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that may last for weeks or even years.However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but more research is needed to find out how this affects us.The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.LeadLead is a highly toxic metal that is present in a variety of products like paints pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.It is an extremely chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can cause it to accumulate within the body and lead to serious health problems like cancer, among other illnesses.In Cancer Lawsuit living near a creosote treatment facility run 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 remove its toxic site.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 presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard have more creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be toxic for both children and adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors impact the lives of residents.This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very sad situation that must be addressed immediately.A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia that was five times higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.