Revision as of 20:37, 20 April 2023 by 46.102.159.221 (talk)(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 years that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The latest tests have shown that contamination is still in the vicinity of residents.Researchers believe it could be due to the large number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a popular chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a typical one. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.It is a heavy oily substance, from amber to black in color. Railroad Cancer Settlements has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a potentially dangerous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.It is believed to be a human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked with various cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as 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 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 would like the company to test frequently for contamination and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and also damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim to have suffered the effects of environmental racism, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that affected their families as well as them.DioxinDioxins are substances which do not break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the soil, air, water or sediment for a lengthy period of time. They can be found in diverse sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, but there is evidence to suggest that they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system disorders and endocrine changes like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, suppressed immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.According to Railroad Cancer Settlements . Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed is through water and food. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins can affect your health, depending on many factors , including how much you drink, eat, and the frequency you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.The kind of contaminant is crucial. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging 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 eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also damage 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 cancers that have been that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate given the findings.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. These chemicals were banned in 1979, after being found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been infected with PCBs. This could be due to spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions which can last for weeks or even years. Railroad Cancer Settlements of PCBs on human health are still not completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to better understand how this affects us.EPA is also studying whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, like less weight at birth. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or later in life.LeadLead is a toxic metal that can be found in many items like paints pipes, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral. Railroad Cancer Settlements is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can build up within the body, which could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to cleanse the site that is contaminated.Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to eliminate the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.One of the major problems that stemmed from the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful for children as well as adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. To learn more about the effect of the vapors in the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and it should be addressed immediately.A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia that was five times higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.