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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 in the underground air at its contaminated rail yard. And now, the latest tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers say it may be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote which is a common chemical used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.

It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber in color and has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log structures and homes from insects and rot.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.

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

According to the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to various cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They say the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and to take steps to stop it from spreading.

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

They are seeking damages from the railroad in order to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements claim that they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that have impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down quickly in the environment, and they can be found in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended time. They can be found in a variety of places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk for organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine issues, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues, weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts called chloracne.

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

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure can be detrimental to your health, depending on many factors such as how much you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant is equally important. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.

For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also harm the immune system and cause problems with 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 cancers that have been caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said that the results weren't encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal presented to Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being proven to cause cancer and suppress the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.

PCBs can infect soil, water, and air in many areas of the world once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

PCBs are a major problem to protect the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Furthermore, Railroad Workers have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure, since they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can happen from spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. Cancer Lawsuits can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.


The effects of PCBs upon human health are not fully recognized. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However Railroad Workers is necessary to conduct more research to better understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 that can be found in many items like paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two major pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. It can accumulate within the body and could lead to serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to clean up contamination but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the most significant problems that arose from the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow escape of creosote to the atmosphere. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful to children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer among those who breathe them. To find out more about the impact 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. It's a pity and needs to be taken care of 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 a five times higher rate than expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.

Website: https://crane-mcmahon.thoughtlanes.net/15-unexpected-facts-about-union-pacific-houston-cancer-that-youd-never-been-educated-about