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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination could still be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers suggest it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation 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 which is a common chemical used to treat wood is also a popular one. It can also cause cancer in people 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 and has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It can also be used to guard log houses and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be an extremely dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.

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

According to the EPA It is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. Railroad Cancer claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination , and take measures to stop it from spreading.

In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused serious health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and they can be found in the soil, air, water or sediment for a lengthy period of. They can be found in various sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of 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 illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to Railroad Cancer . Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.

But it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that could have negative effects on your health is dependent on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant is also crucial. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths that are caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department claimed that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The announcement said 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

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. PCBs were banned in 1979 after being found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system and inhibit learning.

PCBs can infect soil and water as well as air in many areas around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter and tend to be persistent and therefore, are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.


PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure since they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.

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

People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are still not fully understood. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but more studies are needed to discover the extent to which this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies revealed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that can be found in a variety of items like paints pipes and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two major pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is an extremely chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals present in your environment. It can build up in the body, which can cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote treatment facility run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, including creosote. Residents say that the company has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

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

Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful to children as well as adults.

Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the residents who are breathing the vapors in. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the area to discover more about how the vapors are impacting the residents' lives.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation that must be dealt with 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 times higher rate than expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.

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