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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 clean up creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests show the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It can also be employed to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns, stomach pains, burning in the mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. This is a serious concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA It is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types, including esophageal and lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and implement 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 from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health issues.

They are seeking damages from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they've been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the air, water, or in sediment for a long period of time. They can be found in diverse sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins could cause harm to your health, depending on many factors like how much you drink, 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 will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant equally important. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system of a person, and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer-related deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their neighborhoods. The city's health department announced on Friday that it has found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." Railroad Cancer Lawyer stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.

Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They are strong binders for organic matter, and are easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA considers them a probable carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.

The primary route of 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 found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Another method of being exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This can happen from leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or by skin contact. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for months or even years.

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely understood. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to determine how this impacts us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in a variety of items, such as paints, pipes, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.

Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is an extremely chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your environment. It can build up within the body, which can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility 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 of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has tried to clean up the mess, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.

One of the most significant issues that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples around the rail yard is greater than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another reason to be concerned is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to discover more about how the vapors affect the residents' lives.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.





A Department of State Health Services study discovered 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 these areas than elsewhere in Texas.