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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 creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have shown that the contamination could be impacting residents living near.

Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the area. 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 kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly that is used in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in people exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance that's amber or black in color and has a smoky smell and a burnt flavor. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

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


The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote could be a hazardous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can result in skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

It is believed to be a human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and take steps to stop the spread of the disease.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused major health problems from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that do not degrade quickly in the environment and they can be found in the air, water, or sediment for a long period of time. They can come from various sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal problems, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to be aware that the amount of exposure that has adverse effects on your health depends on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much air you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your age, gender and nutrition status, as well as diet and family traits and other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant can be an important aspect. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is located close to their homes. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements released on Friday by Houston's health department said that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The announcement said 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 will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for over 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and interfere with learning.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil, water, and air in many areas of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter that can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

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

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Because they are the highest 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 has been polluted with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. Railroad Cancer Settlements is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that may last for weeks to years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However Railroad Cancer Settlements is required to better understand how this affects us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and can be found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body can absorb it via two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your environment. This could cause it to build up within the body and cause serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.

In Houston residents living near a creosote treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean its contaminated site.

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. The company has tried to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents believe.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is among the most severe consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

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

It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the residents who are breathing the vapors in. To learn more about the effect of the vapors in the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation that must be addressed immediately.

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.

Read More: https://cannon-ernst.federatedjournals.com/the-3-greatest-moments-in-railroad-cancer-history-1681568368