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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 taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that contamination is still in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers believe it's due to the high rate of cancers found in the region. Two years into a health study conducted by the state and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance which is black or amber in color and has a smoky odor and a burnt flavor. 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 tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, like fence posts, utility poles, as well as marine pilings. It can also be used to safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is an extremely dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver 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 at risk.

According to the EPA It is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to many types of cancer, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

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

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.

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

They are seeking damages from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim that they have been suffering from environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment and can remain in the air, water, or sediment for a lengthy period of time. They can be derived from diverse sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't yet known yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine disorders 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 (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that will have detrimental effects on your health will depend on several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat and how much air you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant is equally important. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others to human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote to cause harm to your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancers that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release said the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal presented to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They bind tightly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time which means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

Therefore, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef and other agricultural products.

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

In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through the skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet completely recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to determine how this impacts us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 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 powerful oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body and lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's 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 tried to eliminate the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.

One of the biggest problems that arose from the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another issue is the gradual release of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which can be fatal for both children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who breathe them. To find out more about the effect of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.


This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that needs to be dealt with immediately.

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

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