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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. The latest tests have shown that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.





Researchers say it may be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in 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 for protecting log homes and other structures against the effects of rot and insect invasion.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be an extremely hazardous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, according to the EPA. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements has been linked to a number of different types of cancer such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.

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 soil under their homes and causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering, as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other costs. They also claim that they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination and other types of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that don't break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil or in sediment for a lengthy period. They are found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious illnesses like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Cancer Lawsuits that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to be aware that the amount of exposure that will have detrimental effects on your health is contingent upon various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other health factors that may influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is also important. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.

For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer deaths that have been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, 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 release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal presented to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After being proven to cause cancer and suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can infect soil and water as well as air in many parts of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

Therefore, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals in the womb.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be the result of leaks or spillages in electrical equipment and other.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through the skin. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers in humans, however more studies are needed to understand what this means for us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborns. 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 who were born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth, and/or later in childhood.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food containers. The body can absorb it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can accumulate within the body, which can cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

In Houston residents living near a creosote treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the most important problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.

It is also possible that the gases are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing the vapors in. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to find out more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that must be dealt with immediately.

Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.