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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t done enough to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination could be impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe it could be due to the large number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a chemical commonly used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a cause of cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

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 is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum cancers. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

It is believed to be a human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of cancers of various types such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Railroad Cancer have been exposed for decades to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil, and continues to spread 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 on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.

In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused major health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They also claim to be affected by environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other forms of pollution that has adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in environment quickly and can remain in the air, water soil or sediment for long periods. They are found in a variety of places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine disorders, including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood.


However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that can have a harmful effect on your health is dependent on various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you eat or drink and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other factors in your health that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a negative effect on the human body than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are more likely than creosote affect your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. They were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water 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.

Therefore, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Furthermore certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, 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 is affected by PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for several weeks to several years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not fully understood. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to determine what this means for us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. In two studies, children 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 poisonous metal and is found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: respiratory and oral.

It is an extremely chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals present in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean up its 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. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another concern is the slow escape of creosote to the atmosphere. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors which can cause fatalities for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who breathe them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and it should be resolved immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.

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