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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 plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination could be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it's due to the high number of cancers in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 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 is also used to protect log structures and homes from rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says creosote is a risky chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.

Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of different types of cancer such as esophageal or 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 the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and to take measures to prevent it from spreading.

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

They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil or in sediment for a lengthy period. They can be derived from a variety of sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues, like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts called 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 aren't volatile and water-soluble so they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.

It is vital to remember, however, that exposure can affect your health, based on numerous factors like how much you drink, eat, and how often you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant is also crucial. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others for human health. 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 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 years about cluster cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can infect soil or 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 which means they are easy to transport and build up 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 lab animals.

Csx Lawsuit Settlements show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical equipment and other.

People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely known. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this affects us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, including less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. 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 is found in many products, such as pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two main routes: respiratory and oral.

Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts is a powerful chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your environment. It can build up within the body and can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other diseases.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote legacy treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been trying to get rid of the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.

One of the most important issues that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study by the department of health shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples around the rail yard is higher than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote in the air. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for both children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to the residents who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors impact the lives of residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very sad situation that must be addressed immediately.

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

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