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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 taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers say it may be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state they discovered higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

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 can also be employed to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause eye and skin irritation and chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a serious concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with various cancers such as esophageal cancer as well 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 say the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

In October 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing significant health problems.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that affected them and their families.


Dioxin

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

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't well-studied however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious illnesses like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to problems with hormones, immune suppression womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

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 water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has a harmful effect on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant used is crucial. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others for the health of humans. 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 harm the immune system of the person and interfere with the growth of healthy bones and teeth.

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer-related deaths which has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their communities. The city's health department announced Friday that it found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release noted 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

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

PCBs can contaminate soil as well as water and air in many parts of the world after they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.

This is why PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them to be a possible carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Additionally certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the main source of exposure, since they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This could be the result of leaks or spills from electrical and other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last for weeks or even years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are not completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to discover how this impacts us.

Csx Lawsuit Settlements is also examining whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is present in a variety of products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

Csx Lawsuit Settlements is a strong chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals present in your environment. This could cause it to build up in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer, among other illnesses.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. The company has been trying to clean up the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious consequences of the contamination. Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples from the rail yard is more than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another major concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to inhale harmful levels of vapors which could be fatal for both children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who breathe them. To learn more about the impact 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 communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a pity and it should be resolved immediately.

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

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