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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. And now, the latest tests show that the contamination could continue to affect people who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a chemical commonly that is used to treat wood is also a typical one. Railroad Workers Cancer is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

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

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to guard log structures and homes against the effects of rot and insect invasion.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. Exposure to creosote for short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns stomach pains, burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

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

According to the EPA It is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

Railroad Workers And Cancer and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination , and take steps to stop the spread of the disease.

In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused serious health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment, discrimination, and other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that do not degrade quickly in the environment and can remain in the soil, air, or sediment for an extended duration. They can be found in a variety of locations such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed 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 common method that people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins could be detrimental to your health, based on numerous factors such as how much you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant is also important. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also harm the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.

For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer-related deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their neighborhoods. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said the results 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 won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. They were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, suppress the immune system and inhibit learning.

PCBs can contaminate 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 are often persistent that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

PCBs are most often ingested through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure since they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been infected with PCBs. This can result from leaks or spills that could occur in electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that last for weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't completely known. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to better understand how this affects us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster of newborns has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful chemical that can oxidize and react with other substances in your environment. This could cause it to build up within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer, among 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 assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's toxic site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, such as creosote. The company has been trying to get rid of the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.

One of the most significant problems that arose due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the health department has shown that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the recommended levels for drinking water.


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

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who breathe them. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster -to door health survey is being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors impact the residents' lives.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and it should be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

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