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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 remove an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, Railroad Cancer show that the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical that is 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, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.

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

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says creosote is a dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a serious concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a former railroad yard close to their homes. They say the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination , and take steps to stop 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 has contaminated their soil and caused serious health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that do not break down quickly in the environment, and can remain in the air, water, or sediment for an extended duration. They can be found in various sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not identified however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbable by the body via the intake of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health based on a variety of factors like how much you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant used is also important. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others for human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote affect your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is close to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department claimed that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit said 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 plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and weaken the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil and water as well as air in many regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are often persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and build up in the environment.

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

Furthermore certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit could be due to leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.

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

However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to better understand how this affects us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. Low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and can be found in many products, such as pipes, paints and food cans. The body absorbs it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate in the body, and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to cleanse its contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.

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

Another issue is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It can cause residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can be fatal for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among the people who breathe them in. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors are impacting the residents' lives.

This is a serious issue 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 leukemia incidences were five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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