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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. Now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.

Researchers believe it is due to the high incidence of cancers found in the region. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a thick, oily substance that is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky smell and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.


In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also employed to protect log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is a chemical that could be dangerous. Exposure to it for short periods can cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pain burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a major concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote because of a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering, as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They claim that they have suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment and can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for a lengthy period of time. They can be found in a variety of places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not known yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile or water-soluble, which means they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that has negative effects on your health is dependent on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and how much you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important aspect. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release said the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going 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)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being shown to cause cancer and weaken the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to remain in the environment for a long time and therefore, are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

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

Furthermore, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

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

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be the result of leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.

People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't completely known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight. railroad workers cancer lawsuit of newborns has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in a variety of items including paints, pipes and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other substances 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 Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to direct the railroad to clean up its contaminated site.

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 to humans, like creosote. Residents claim that the company has been trying to clean up contamination but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the most important problems that arose from the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples near the rail yard is higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow release of creosote from the atmosphere. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are toxic for both children and adults.

It is also possible that gases are causing cancers in the people who breathe the vapors in. To learn more about the effect of the vapors on the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that must be addressed immediately.

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

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