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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 the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. And now, the latest tests show the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high incidence of cancers found in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a popular one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, like fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a chemical that could be dangerous. The exposure to creosote over brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat, kidney or liver problems and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA It is a likely human cancer-causing agent. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit has been linked with various cancers which include esophageal, as well as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote because of a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading 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 steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil, causing significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

Railroad Cancer Lawsuit are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering, as well as damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim they have been harmed by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and they can be found in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended period of. They are found in many places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't yet known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious illnesses like cancer. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed is through water and food. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily absorbable by the body via the intake of dairy products, meat fish, and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure to chemicals can have a detrimental effect on your health, based on numerous factors like how much you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant is crucial. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to negatively impact 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 of cluster of 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 discovered cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release stated 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 that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after being discovered to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system and inhibit learning.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are often persistent which means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

As a result, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.

The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure, since they are the largest source of PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

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

People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last from weeks or even years.

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to determine what this means for us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 and is found in many products, such as pipes, paints, and food cans. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can build up in the body, which could lead to serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has tried to get rid of the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents say.

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous effects of the contamination. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.


Another concern is the slow evaporation of creosote from the atmosphere. It can cause residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can be fatal for both children as well as adults.

It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among those who breathe them in. To learn more about the effects of the vapors on lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and needs to be resolved immediately.

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.

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