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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 done enough to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show the contamination could continue to affect people who live near.

Researchers say it may be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state and they found higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used to treat wood. It is also a cause of cancer in people exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, like 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.

According to Railroad Cancer Settlements United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

According to the EPA It is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a range 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 the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They say the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing serious health issues.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and also compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that has impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that don't break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the soil, air, or sediment for an extended duration. They are found in a variety of places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't identified however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, suppressed immunity and 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 are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat fish, and other seafood.

It is vital to remember, however, that exposure can affect your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you consume, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your age, gender, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other health factors that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is also important. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements says that some toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on the human body than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause issues with the development 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 that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the surface near the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal presented to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. After being found to cause Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements and suppress the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.

PCBs can be harmful to soil, water, and air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time which means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Fish is the main source of exposure, since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.

Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spillages in electrical equipment and other.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last from months or even years.

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

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, including less weight at birth. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies revealed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and is found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can lead to it accumulating in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to cleanse its contaminated facility.

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

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

Another issue is the slow release of creosote from the atmosphere. 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 fumes are causing cancers to the residents who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.


This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Railroad Cancer Settlements 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 a five-fold higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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