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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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination may be impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a dense oily substance which is black or amber in color and has a smoky scent and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal 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 is also used for protecting log structures and homes from rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote can be a risky chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth as well as liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. Cancer Lawsuits is a major concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to a range of different cancer types including esophageal and lung cancer.

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

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and take 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 contaminated their soil and caused significant health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim to have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other types of pollution that has affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the air, water, or in sediment for a long time. They can be found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes and hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.

It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can be detrimental to your health, based on numerous factors such as how much you consume, drink, and the frequency you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the type of contaminant is also an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system of a person and hinder the growth 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 close to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal presented to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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

PCBs can be harmful to soil or water as well as air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter and are often persistent which means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major problem for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food items. Fish is the primary source of exposure, as they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This could be due to spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.

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

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to discover the extent to which this impacts us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, like less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 toxic metal that is found in many products, such as paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. This could cause it to build up within the body and lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other ailments.

In Houston residents living near a creosote treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to cleanse its toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has tried to clean up the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the health department shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples from the rail yard is more than the level recommended for drinking water.


Another concern is the gradual release of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful to children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to the residents who breathe them in. To learn more about the effect of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and it should be addressed immediately.

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type 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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