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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 underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination may be impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the large number of cancers found in the region. Two years into a health study conducted by the state, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

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

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

It is believed to be a human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with several cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to an old rail 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 campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test regularly for contamination and to take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

In October 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated 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 claim that they have been harmed by racism in the environment, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, water soil or in sediment for a lengthy period. They are found in a variety of places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.

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

It is vital to remember that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health, depending on many factors such as how much you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other health factors that may influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant is also important. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a damaging effect on the human body than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on 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 growth of healthy bones, teeth and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department said that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after being discovered to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil or water as well as air in many parts of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major problem to protect the environment and public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.

Additionally certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through the skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely understood. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to understand how this impacts us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 that is found in many products, such as paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. It is able to accumulate within the body and could lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to cleanse the site that is contaminated.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has tried to eliminate the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient, residents say.

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples in the rail yard is more than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which could be fatal for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the neighborhood to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.


This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and should be taken care of immediately.

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

Read More: https://sites.google.com/view/railroadcancersettlements