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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 clean up creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. The most recent tests have shown that contamination could still be impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe it could be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected levels 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 chemical commonly used to treat wood. It can cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.

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

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, like fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It can also be used to safeguard log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote could be a dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a serious concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

It is believed to be a human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of different types of cancer such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.

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

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. Railroad Cancer claim to have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that do not break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, water soil, or sediment for a long period. They are found in a variety of places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't well-studied, there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses such as cancer. The people who are exposed to higher levels have been found to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine imbalances such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed is through water and food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to be aware that the amount of exposure that will have adverse effects on your health depends on many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other health factors that can affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the form of contaminant can be an important aspect. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on the human body than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit can also affect the immune system of a person and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancers that have been caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They are strong binders for organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern 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 laboratory animals.

Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

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

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

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a tiny, pale, yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to discover the extent to which this impacts us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies showed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in a variety of items like paints pipes and food containers. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements can be absorbed by the body via two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a potent chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, and can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.


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

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the biggest issues that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote in soil samples in the rail yard is much higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is the gradual release of creosote into the atmosphere. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are toxic for both children and adults.

It is also possible that the vapors are causing cancers in those who breathe the vapors. To learn more about the effects of the vapors in the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.

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