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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high number of cancers found in the region. Two years after the launch of 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 pelvis and kidney cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly used to treat wood. It is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that's black or amber in appearance and has a smoky odor and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It can also be used for protecting log houses and other structures from the effects of rot and insect invasion.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be an extremely dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning in the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.

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

According to the EPA the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. copd caused by railroad how to get a settlement has been linked to a range of different cancer types including esophageal and lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test frequently for contamination and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.

In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health issues.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering, as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim to have suffered the effects of environmental racism, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and they can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for a lengthy period of. They can come from many sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.


The effects of dioxin on health are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine issues, like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

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

However, it is crucial to be aware that the amount of exposure that could have a harmful effect on your health is dependent on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how much you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the type of contaminant is another important factor. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others to 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 liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said that 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 submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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

PCBs can contaminate soil or water as well as air in many areas of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This could be caused by leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.

People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely recognized. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and is found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it via two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals present in the environment. This could cause it to build up within the body and lead to serious health problems like cancer, among other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to clean up its contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been trying to eliminate the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.

One of the most important issues that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples from the rail yard is greater than the levels recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the vapors are causing cancers in the people who breathe them in. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the neighborhood to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.

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

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.

Read More: https://sites.google.com/view/railroadcancersettlements