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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 creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination could still be impacting residents living near.

Researchers suggest it could be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of an investigation into health issues across the state, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used in the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

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

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote could be a dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a significant concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA It is a possible human cancer-causing agent. 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 a long time, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and is spreading underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.

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

They are seeking compensation from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be victimized by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for a long period of. They are found in many places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine changes such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed is through water and food. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.

It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins can affect your health, based on numerous aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other health factors that may affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant is also important. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others for human health. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to cause harm to your health.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer deaths that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of 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 consumer and industrial products. After being found to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They bind tightly to organic matter and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and build up in the environment.

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

In addition, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to PCBs in the womb.

PCBs are most often ingested through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef and other agricultural products.

Another way to get exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a mild, small, yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely recognized. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to discover how this impacts us.


EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, such as low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in many products, including paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body and can lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has tried to eliminate the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.

One of the major issues that resulted from the contamination was the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the health department has revealed that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples from the rail yard is more than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow evaporation of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could 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 impact the lives of the residents.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and should be taken care of 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 type of leukemia at five times higher rate than expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.

Read More: https://www.kamal.cyou/what-the-10-most-worst-railroad-injury-settlement-amounts-failures-of-all-time-could-have-been-prevented/