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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote in the underground air at its contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting people who live near.

Researchers believe it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical used to treat wood. It is also a cause of cancer in people exposed to it.

It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber in color and has a smoky smell and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods like fence posts and utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a hazardous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pain burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of different types of cancer including esophageal and lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil, and it continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.

In October 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They also claim to be affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, soil or in sediment for a long period. They can come from a variety of sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues, hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. 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, fish and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins can affect your health, depending on many aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat, and how often you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other health factors that could affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant is also important. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on 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 and cause issues with the growth of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a rash of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in 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 areas of the globe once they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals while pregnant.

The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the main source of exposure because they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

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

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. This is a tiny, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, however more research is needed to find out how this affects us.

rail workers settlement is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. 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 poisonous metal and can be found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two major routes: oral and respiratory.


It is a strong chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. It can build up within the body and can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to clean 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 carcinogenic chemicals for humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the company has been working to clean up contamination but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most severe consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard have more creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another reason to be concerned is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which can cause fatalities for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. To learn more about the impact of the vapors on the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a sad state of affairs and needs to be addressed immediately.

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/railroadcancersettlements