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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 an underground plume of creosote at its contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers suggest it could be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote may be a risky chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a significant concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward residents 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 city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination , and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

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

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering, as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. Railroad Cancer Settlements claim they 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 in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, soil or sediment for a long time. They are found in a variety of locations, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine issues, like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that can have negative effects on your health is contingent upon numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how much you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the type of contaminant is also an important factor. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system of the person and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancers that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release stated that the findings 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

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for over 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They bind tightly to organic matter and tend to be persistent that means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

As a result, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food items. Since Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. Railroad Cancer Settlements is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for several weeks to several years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, but further studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 can be present in a variety of products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it via two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your environment. This could cause it to build up within the body. This can lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.

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


The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It can cause residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which could be fatal for both children as well as adults.

It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among the people who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the area 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. This is a very tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five-fold more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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