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 contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination is still an issue for residents living nearby.Researchers believe it's due to the high number of cancers in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state and they found higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a chemical commonly that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in people exposed to it.It is a dense oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures against insects and rot.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote can be a risky chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes chemical burns stomach discomfort burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types such as esophageal or lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and is spreading underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.In October 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 serious health problems from the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.DioxinDioxins are chemicals which aren't able to break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, water soil, or sediment for a long period. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements can come from many sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.The health effects of dioxin are not clear at low levels, but there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system disorders and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not volatile and water-soluble so they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.However, it is crucial to remember that the level of exposure that could have detrimental effects on your health is dependent on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and the amount of air you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics along with other health factors that may determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.The type of contaminant also important. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancers that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient in light of the findings. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. They were banned in 1979, after they were found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and hinder learning.When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water across the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to be persistent and therefore, are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.As a result, PCBs are a major concern for the protection of public health and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Furthermore certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy. Railroad Cancer for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.Another way to be exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical and other equipment.People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is small, pale yellow skin lesions which can be present for a period of weeks or years.The effects of PCBs on human health are still not completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but further studies are needed to determine the extent to which this impacts us.EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and 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. It is absorbed by the body via two main routes: respiratory and oral.It is a strong antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can build up in the body, which can cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other ailments.Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has tried to get rid of the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples in the rail yard is higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.Another concern is the gradual release of creosote into the atmosphere. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are dangerous for children and adults.It is also possible that the vapors are causing cancers in those who breathe the vapors in. To learn more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being done in the neighborhood.This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and should be dealt with immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.