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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 remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests show the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.

Researchers believe it's due to the high incidence of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in people exposed to it.

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

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures against insects and rot.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be a dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is believed to be a human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and is spreading underground.


The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad in order to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim that they have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, in the soil or sediment for a long period. They can be found in a variety of places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't identified, there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Patients who are exposed at higher levels are believed to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, weakened immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most frequent way that people are exposed is through water and food. 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 and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to remember that the level of exposure that can have adverse effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and the amount of air you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your age, gender, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other health factors that may determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote affect your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not a good sign. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and weaken the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

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

Therefore, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

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 dairy products, beef and other agricultural products.

Cancer Lawsuit to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This can result from leaks or spills that could occur in electrical and other equipment.

In Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts , people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. Railroad Workers is small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for several weeks to several years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to better understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 highly toxic metal that is present in a variety of products including paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed into the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.

It is an extremely antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the environment. It can build up in the body, and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

In Houston the residents who live close to a creosote-based treatment facility owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the major problems that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples from the rail yard is higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.

Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer for those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the area to find out more about how the vapors impact the residents' lives.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation that must be addressed immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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