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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 taken the necessary steps to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.
Researchers say it may be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements after launching a state-wide health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance which is amber or black in color and has a smoky smell and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.
It is used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It can also be employed to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be an extremely hazardous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.
Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a range of cancers of various types, including esophageal and lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and is spreading underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test frequently for contamination and take measures 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 from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing serious health problems.
They are seeking damages from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they've suffered the effects of environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, water soil, or sediment for a long period. Railroad Cancer Lawyer are found in many places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious illnesses like cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine imbalances like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile and water-soluble so they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.
It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure to dioxins can be detrimental to your health, depending on many aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.
Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important factor. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate given the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, weaken the immune system and inhibit learning.
Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water across the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.
Cancer Lawsuit Settlements are a major concern for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.
The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest 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 PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.
People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.
The effects of PCBs upon human health are not completely known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, but more studies are needed to determine how this affects us.
The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies showed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or older.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal and is present in many products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. This could cause it to build up within the body and lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other diseases.
In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, such as creosote. Residents say that the company has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
One of the major problems that stemmed due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples in the rail yard is greater than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It is causing residents to inhale dangerous levels of vapors, which can be fatal for both children and adults.
It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to those 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 residents.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and needs to be dealt with immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.
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