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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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination may be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers suggest it could be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is that is used in the treatment of wood. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

Cancer Lawsuits is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

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

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a potentially dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns, stomach pain, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote because of a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and is spreading underground.


The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test regularly for contamination and take steps 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 contaminated their soil and caused significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They also claim to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other types of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, in the soil, or sediment for long periods. They are found in many places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk for heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts called chloracne.

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

However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that can have adverse effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and how much you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other health factors that may determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts of contaminant used is also crucial. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.

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

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer deaths that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said that the results weren't encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After being found to cause cancer and suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

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

As a result, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is 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 water is another method of exposure. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts could be due to leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't fully known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, but more research is needed to find out how this impacts us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, including lower birth weight. A low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children who were 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 highly toxic metal that is found in many products like paints pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals present in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer, among other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to direct the railroad to clean its contaminated site.

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

One of the biggest problems that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow escape of creosote to the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are dangerous for children and adults.

It is also possible that gases are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing the vapors in. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the area to discover more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very sad situation that must be dealt with immediately.

A recent study 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 times more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.

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