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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have shown that contamination is still affecting residents living nearby.

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

Creosote

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

It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to protect log structures and homes against the effects of rot and insect invasion.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote could be a risky chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA It is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety kinds of cancers such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and take measures to stop it from spreading.

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

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they've been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination, as well as other types of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, soil, or sediment for a long time. They can come from various sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not yet known yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine disorders such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues, hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most common way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.

It is vital to remember, however, that exposure can be detrimental to your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you consume, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other health factors that can affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the form of contaminant is another 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 detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. Railroad Cancer Settlements said on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said 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 won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They are strong binders for organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.

Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

Railroad Cancer Settlements are most often ingested through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This can be caused by spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to discover what this means for us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. Low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in many items, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your environment. It can build up in the body, and could cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote legacy treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to cleanse its toxic site.


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

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could be fatal for children as well as adults.

Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the people who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the area to understand the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and should be dealt with immediately.

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

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