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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high number of cancers in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical that is used to treat wood, is also a common one. It can also cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber-colored and has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes against rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be a hazardous chemical. In  Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements  of exposure to creosote for a brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer.  Railroad Cancer Settlements  who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to a number of different cancer types, including esophageal and lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop the spread.

In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad in order to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other forms of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that do not break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the air, water, or in sediment for a long period of time. They are found in a variety places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't known yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. People exposed to higher levels are believed to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.

It is important to remember that exposure to dioxins could cause harm to your health, based on numerous factors , including how much you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant is also crucial. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department revealed that they discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said 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 that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. After being proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil as well as water and air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue to protect the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.

The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the main source of exposure because they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is affected by PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that could occur in electrical and other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. This is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from weeks or even years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are not completely known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to determine what this means for us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in a variety of items like paints pipes and food containers. It is absorbed into the body through two main routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can build up within the body, which can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

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 isn't enough residents say.

One of the major problems that arose from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples in the rail yard is higher than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote from the atmosphere.  Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements  causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are toxic for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at five times more frequently than was expected.  Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements  found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.