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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. And now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could still be affecting people who live near.

Researchers believe it's due to the high incidence of cancers found in the region. Two years into a health study conducted by the state and they found higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals employed in the treatment of wood. Railroad Workers is also a cause of cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance that's black or amber-colored and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to shield log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be a dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum tumors. 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 likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of different types of cancer, including esophageal and lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a former railroad yard near their homes. The chemical is said to have contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and to take steps to stop the spread of the disease.

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

They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other types of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and they can be found in the air, water, or sediment for a long time. They can be found in a variety of places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not yet known but there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. People exposed to higher levels are believed to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine changes including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily taken in by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that can have negative effects on your health is contingent upon numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how much you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other health factors that can affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant also important. Cancer Lawsuit that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. For Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements , polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

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

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their neighborhoods. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near 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 be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are generally persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

In the end, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them a potential carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.


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

PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Since they are the most abundant 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 by drinking or showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical equipment and other.

People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

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

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. In two studies, children 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 a variety of items like paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your environment. It is able to accumulate within the body and can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote facility are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.

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, like creosote. Residents say that the company has been trying to clean up contamination but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples around the rail yard is higher than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another concern is the slow escape of creosote to the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer for those who inhale them. A door-to door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to find out more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of the residents.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that must be addressed immediately.

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at five times more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

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