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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 latest tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers believe it's due to the high number of cancers in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to guard log structures and homes against decay and insect infestation.

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

Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements -term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA, it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number of different types of cancer including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and causing serious health problems.

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

Dioxin

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

The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine problems, like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure can affect your health, based on numerous factors such as how much you eat, drink, and how often you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is an important factor. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others to human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.

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

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer-related deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department said that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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

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

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

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children exposed to PCBs in the womb.

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

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

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for several weeks to several years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are not fully known. Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but further studies are needed to determine what this means for us.

Railroad Cancer Settlements has also been investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. A low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and can be found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food containers. The body can absorb it through two major routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is a strong chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your environment. It can build up in the body, and could cause serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote facility have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to cleanse the site that is contaminated.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to remove the contamination but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which can cause fatalities for both children as well as adults.

It is also possible that gases are causing cancers in those who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to discover more about how the vapors affect the lives of the residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and needs to be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

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