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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 an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. Recent tests have revealed that contamination is still impacting residents living near.

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

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, 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 employed to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote could be a risky chemical. A short-term exposure could cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a significant concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to Railroad Cancer Settlements , it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with several cancers which include esophageal, as well as 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 affected their soil, homes and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They also claim that they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the soil, air, or in sediment for a long time. They can be derived from various sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.

Railroad Cancer Settlements is important to remember, however, that exposure can affect your health, depending on many aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other health factors that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the type of contaminant is another important aspect. 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 effect on your health than creosote.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer deaths that have been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. Friday's announcement by the city's health department revealed that they discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After they were proven to cause cancer and suppress 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 are powerful binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.

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

Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals during the womb.

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

Another way to be exposed PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is affected by PCBs. This can result from leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through the skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

However Csx Lawsuit Settlements of PCBs on human health are not yet completely understood. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but further studies are needed to discover how this impacts us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including low birth weight. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and is present in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It is able to accumulate within the body, which could cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to cleanse its contaminated facility.

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, like creosote. Csx Lawsuit Settlements claim that the company has been trying to clean up contamination but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.


Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another major concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors, which could cause death for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. To learn more about the effects of the vapors on lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being done in the neighborhood.

This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be addressed immediately.

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.

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