Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination could be an issue for residents living nearby.Researchers believe it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical used for the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It can cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.It is a thick, oily substance that is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. Cancer Lawsuit is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be employed to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is an extremely hazardous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a significant concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA the EPA, it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer. Cancer Lawsuit have been exposed for decades to creosote because of a former railroad yard right next to their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.A group 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 cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other types of pollution that have affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are chemical compounds that do not degrade quickly in the environment and they can be found in the soil, air, water or sediment for a long time. They can come from various sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't yet known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues, like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.It is nevertheless important to remember that the level of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how much you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your age, gender, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other health factors that may determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.The kind of contaminant is crucial. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others for human health. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote cause harm to your health.PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and 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 cancer deaths caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter and are often persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals while pregnant.The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. Cancer Lawsuits could be due to leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully understood. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to determine how this affects us.The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or later in life.LeadLead is a toxic metal and can be found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints and food containers. The body absorbs it through two routes: oral and respiratory.It is a powerful antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can build up within the body and could cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other diseases.Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to cleanse the site that is contaminated.Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been trying to get rid of the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents believe.The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most severe consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has shown that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples from the rail yard is much higher than the recommended level 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 dangerous levels of vapors, which are toxic for both children and adults.It is also possible that the vapors are causing cancers in the residents who breathe them in. 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 major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.