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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 clean up the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests show the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance which is black or amber-colored and has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, as well as marine pilings. It can also be used to guard log houses and other structures from decay and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

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

According to the EPA It is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.

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

They are seeking damages from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim that they have been victimized by environmental racism and discrimination and other kinds of pollution that have impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that do not break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, soil or sediment for a lengthy period. They can be found in a variety of locations that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

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

It is nevertheless important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that will have detrimental effects on your health is contingent upon many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and the amount of air you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant is crucial. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of the person and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancers that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements announced on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After being proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can infect soil as well as water and air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

As a result, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.

Additionally certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

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


Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for several weeks to several years.

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

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. Railroad Cancer Settlements has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease 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

Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts is a poisonous metal and is found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It is able to accumulate in the body, which can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to cleanse its contaminated facility.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. The railroad has been trying to get rid of the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most grave consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow evaporation of creosote from the atmosphere. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could cause death for both children as well as adults.

Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is also possible that the vapors are causing cancers in those who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors affect the lives of the residents.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and needs to be dealt with immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five-fold more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.

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