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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn’t done enough to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination could still be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used to treat wood. It can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.

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 safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be an extremely hazardous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.


Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a significant concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA It is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number of different cancer types, including esophageal and lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to a former rail yard near their homes. They say the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.

Cancer Lawsuit of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue 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 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused major health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

Cancer Lawsuits are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They also claim to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that has impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds which do not break down quickly in the environment and they can stay in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended period of time. They can come from many sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Cancer Lawsuit that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, which means they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to remember that the amount of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you eat or drink and the amount of air you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant used is crucial. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.

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

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said 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 won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can contaminate soil or water as well as air in many regions around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure, as they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spillages in electrical equipment and other.

People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from weeks or even years.

However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to better understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 and is present in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food containers. The body absorbs it through two major routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate in the body, which can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated 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. Residents say that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another concern is the gradual release of creosote from the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can cause fatalities for both children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who breathe them. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors affect the residents' lives.

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 found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at a five-fold greater rate than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.

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