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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 an underground plume of creosote at its contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a chemical commonly used in the treatment of wood is also a typical one. It can cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance that's black or amber in color and has a smokey odor and burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes against decay and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be a risky chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach pain burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.





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

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to several cancers such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take steps to prevent it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and also damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil or sediment for a long time. They can be found in a variety of sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't known, there is evidence that they could cause serious diseases like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, weakened immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Railroad Cancer Lawyer (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that has adverse effects on your health is dependent on many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how often you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your age, gender, diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant also crucial. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.

For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also harm the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is close to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department claimed that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They bind tightly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.

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

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, Railroad Cancer Lawsuit 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 can result from leaks or spills that could occur in electrical and other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for weeks to years.

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to discover how this affects us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including low birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and is present in many products, including pipes, paints and food containers. The body absorbs it via two routes: oral and respiratory.

Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is an extremely chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your environment. This could cause it to build up within the body and lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston the residents who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean up its contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of 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 working to clean up the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer among those who inhale them. A door-to door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.

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

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia that was five times higher rate than expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.