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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.

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

Creosote

Creosote, a chemical commonly used for the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

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

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

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with many types of cancer that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote because of a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

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

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other costs. They also claim to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, and other types of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not degrade quickly in the environment and they can remain in the air, water, or sediment for a lengthy duration. They can come from diverse sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine disorders, including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues, hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts, known as 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 volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could affect your health, depending on many factors like how much you drink, eat, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other factors in your health that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is also crucial. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect 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 problems in the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department said that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surfaces near the rail yard. The release stated that the findings 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 will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They are powerful binders of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for the protection of the environment and public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.

Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.

PCBs are most often ingested 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 get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spills in electrical equipment and other.

Cancer Lawsuit to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through the skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully understood. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to discover how this impacts us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and is found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. The body absorbs it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.


It is a powerful antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can lead to its accumulation in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the major problems that stemmed from the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the levels recommended for drinking water.

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

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who breathe them. Railroad Workers -to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to learn more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents.

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

Railroad Workers of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.

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