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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 clean up an underground plume of creosote at its contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that contamination is still affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance that's black or amber in color and has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

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

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be a dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause eye and skin irritation chemical burns, stomach pain, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues.

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

According to the EPA It is a known human cancer-causing agent. Railroad Workers Cancer has been linked to a number kinds of cancers, including esophageal and lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground.

Railroad Workers And Cancer of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.

In October 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. Union Pacific Cancer claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused major health problems from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances which do not break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for a lengthy duration. They can be found in a variety of sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't known but there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses such as cancer. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine changes, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal problems, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.

However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that has negative effects on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how often you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family traits and other health factors that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on human health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths that are connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. They were banned in 1979 after they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system and inhibit learning.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil, water, and air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter, and tend to be persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and build up in the environment.

In the end, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. Railroad Workers Cancer is especially applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals during the womb.


PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to spills or leaks that may occur in electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through the skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, but further research is needed to find out what this means for us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in the course of. In two studies, children 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 many products, including pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals present in your environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, which could cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston residents living near a creosote treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. The company has tried to remove the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most severe effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples near the rail yard is much higher than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is the gradual release of creosote from the atmosphere. It can cause residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death for both children and adults.

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing the vapors in. To find out more about the impact of the vapors on lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a pity and must be resolved immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at five times higher rate than expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.

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