Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians? Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. And now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby. Cancer Lawsuits believe it is due to the large number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a chemical commonly that is used to treat wood is also a very common one. It can cause cancer in people exposed to it. Cancer Lawsuits is a dense, oily substance that is black or amber in color and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been used 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 types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is a potentially dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation of the skin and eyes, chemical burns stomach pain and burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a major concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, as per the EPA. Cancer Lawsuits 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 decades to creosote, due to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They say the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop it from spreading. Cancer Lawsuit of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil, causing significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they have been affected by environmental racism, discrimination, and other types of pollution that has affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, soil or in sediment for long periods. They are found in a variety of places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't yet known however, there is evidence to suggest that they could cause serious diseases like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts called chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking water or food. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that could have negative effects on your health is dependent on many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how often you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.Additionally, the type of contaminant can be an important factor. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and weaken the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are often persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.PCBs are a major issue to protect the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals in the womb.PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure because they are the largest source of PCBs. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Another way to be exposed PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills in electrical or other equipment.People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't 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 the extent to which this impacts us.The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been linked to 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 highly toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products like paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two routes: oral and respiratory.It is an extremely antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This could cause it to build up in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated site.Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been working to clean up the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is one of the most severe effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than what is required for drinking water.Another issue is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which could be fatal for both children as well as adults.It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who breathe them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a pity and must be taken care of immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.