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 up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. The latest tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting people who live near. Cancer Lawsuit believe it could be due to the high rate of cancers found in the region. Cancer Lawsuit into a health inspection by the state the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a chemical commonly employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in people who are exposed to it.It is a thick, oily substance that is amber or black in color and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for over 150 years as a 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 guard log structures and homes against rot and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns stomach pain, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with various cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, thanks to a former railroad yard 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 in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing significant health issues.They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim that they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination and other kinds of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts are chemical compounds that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the air, water, or sediment for a long time. They can be derived from a variety of sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine disorders, including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues and hair loss, weight loss 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 aren't water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins can be detrimental to your health, depending on many factors , including how much you consume, drink, and the frequency you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family traits along with other health factors that could affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.The kind of contaminant used is crucial. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others for human health. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.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 bones, teeth and bones.For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer-related deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their neighborhoods. The city's health department reported on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979, after being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and impair learning.When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are generally persistent which means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in lab animals.Additionally certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Another way to be exposed PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills in electrical or other equipment.People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions which can last from weeks to years.The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't completely known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but more research is needed to find out how this affects us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies found that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or later in life.LeadLead is a toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products like paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: oral and respiratory.It is an extremely chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other substances in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating within the body. Cancer Lawsuits can lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other ailments.Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.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. Residents say that the company has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples from the rail yard is more than the recommended levels for drinking water.Another concern is the slow release of creosote into the atmosphere. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which can be fatal for children as well as adults.It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to the people who breathe the vapors in. A door-to door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of the residents.This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher for 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 elsewhere in Texas.