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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 creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination could be an issue for residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it's due to the large number of cancers in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used for the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote can be a hazardous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach pain and burning in the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number kinds of cancers including esophageal and lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination , and take steps to prevent it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and causing serious health issues.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and also damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim they have been harmed by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other forms of pollution that affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a long time. They can be found in many 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, but there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine disorders like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure to dioxins could have a detrimental effect on your health, depending on many factors such as how much you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer deaths that have been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. PCBs were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and interfere with learning.

When released into Cancer Lawsuit , PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They are strong binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue to protect the environment and public health. Railroad Workers considers them a potential carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

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

Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.

People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from several weeks to several years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are not completely known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to discover how this impacts us.

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

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in many items including paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can lead to it accumulating in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer, among other illnesses.

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

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, including creosote. The company has been trying to get rid of the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.

One of the most important problems that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study by the department of health shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples from the rail yard is much higher than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be dangerous for children and adults.

It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the residents who breathe the vapors in. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to find out more about how the vapors affect the lives of the residents.

This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and should be addressed immediately.


A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.

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