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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 remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination is still impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe it could be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a typical one. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance which is black or amber in appearance and has a smokey odor and a burnt flavor. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It is also used to guard log homes and other structures against insects and rot.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be a risky chemical. The exposure to creosote over brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a serious concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is believed to be a human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a number of cancers of various types, including esophageal and lung cancer.





Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue 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 of 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing significant health problems.

They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, in the soil or sediment for a long period. They can be derived from many sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger problems with hormones, immune suppression womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to remember that the level of exposure that could have detrimental effects on your health depends on many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that can determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the type of contaminant is another important aspect. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department stated that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release said the results were not a good sign. 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 suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and interfere with learning.

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

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Fish is the main source of exposure, as they contain the most PCBs. However, Railroad Cancer Settlements can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or through skin contact. Csx Lawsuit Settlements can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts needed to discover how this affects us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in the course of. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and can be found in many products, including paints, pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. It is able to accumulate within the body and could lead to serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.

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 the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.

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

One of the biggest problems that arose from the contamination was the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which can be fatal for both children and adults.

It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to the residents who breathe them in. To learn more about the effect of the vapors on lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.