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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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could still be affecting people who live near.

Researchers believe it could be due to the high rate of cancers in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly that is used in the treatment of wood. It can also 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 bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It is also used to protect log structures and homes from the effects of rot and insect invasion.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a hazardous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause eye and skin irritation and chemical burns stomach pain and burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to a range kinds of cancers such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time due to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements demand that the company test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be suffering from environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that do not break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil, or sediment for a long time. They are found in a variety of places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine disorders such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed is through water and food. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means 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, however, that exposure to dioxins can cause harm to your health depending on many factors such as how much you consume, drink, and the frequency you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics and other factors in your health that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

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

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. These substances were banned in 1979, after being found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and hinder learning.

PCBs can infect soil or water as well as air in a variety of regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of 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 human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.


Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.

The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. 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 by skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions which can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't completely known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, however more studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects for newborns, including less weight at birth. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as 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 highly toxic metal that is found in many items including paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can lead to it accumulating in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

In Railroad Cancer who live near a creosote legacy treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. The railroad has been trying to clean up the mess, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.

One of the most important problems that stemmed from the contamination was the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples near the rail yard is much higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.

It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among the residents who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors impact the residents' lives.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and it should be resolved immediately.

Railroad Cancer Lawyer of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.

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