Revision as of 05:05, 19 April 2023 by 46.102.159.95 (talk) (Created page with "Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?<br /><br />Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn’t done en...")(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)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 the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The latest tests have shown that contamination could still be in the vicinity of residents.Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is one of the most common chemicals used to treat wood. It is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.It is a heavy 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 used for over 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 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. The exposure to creosote over brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster -term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.It is considered a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with many types of cancer, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote because of a former railroad yard close to their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes as well as their soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.In October 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing serious health problems.They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They also claim that they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other forms of pollution that has adversely affected their families and friends.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, the soil of the water 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.The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, but there is evidence that they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Union Pacific Cancer who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood.However, Railroad Workers And Cancer is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that has detrimental effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and the amount of air you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics along with other factors in your health that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.The kind of contaminant used is also crucial. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system of a person, and interfere with the development of healthy teeth and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department said that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not a good sign. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPolychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.PCBs are a major issue to protect the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to PCBs in the womb.PCBs are most commonly consumed through food items. Fish is the primary source of exposure since they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster can result from leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. This is a mild, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for months or even years.However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully understood. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, however more studies are needed to understand how this impacts us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or later in life.LeadLead is a toxic metal and is found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. The body absorbs it through two main routes: the respiratory and oral.It is an extremely antioxidant and is prone 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, people who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination 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. The company has tried to remove the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents say.Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most grave consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than what is required for drinking water.Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it does, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful to children as well as adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and should be dealt with immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.