What Experts From The Field Want You To Know

Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers suggest it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used in the treatment of wood. Railroad Workers is also a poisonous 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 smoky odor and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, including fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

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

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with many types of cancer that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused major health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other costs. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts claim to have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended duration. They can be found in a variety of places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not yet known but there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most common way people are exposed is through food and water. They are not volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that could have a harmful effect on your health will depend on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant used is also crucial. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

For example, 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 bones, teeth and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release said the results weren't encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. They were banned in 1979, after they were found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and interfere with learning.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They bind tightly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time which means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.

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

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

Cancer Lawsuit of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the primary source of exposure because they contain the most PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from weeks or even years.

The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't fully understood. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, but further studies are needed to discover how this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. In two studies, children who were 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 toxic metal that is found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body can absorb it via two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent chemical that can oxidize and react with other substances in your environment. It can accumulate in the body, and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to remove the site that is contaminated.

Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts has a past history of contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been working to clean up contamination but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the most significant problems that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are toxic for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being carried out in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors impact the lives of residents.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and should be taken care of immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.