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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. And now, the latest tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers believe it's due to the high rate of cancers in the region. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly used in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

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

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause eye and skin irritation chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning in the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a major concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as 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. The chemical is said to have affected their homes as well as their soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and to take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, in the soil, or sediment for long periods. They are found in many places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't identified but there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine problems, like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal problems, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not 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.

Railroad Cancer is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins can affect your health, based on numerous factors such as how much you drink, eat, and the frequency you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect a person's immune system and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements stated that the findings were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after being found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.

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

This is why PCBs are a major concern for the protection of public health and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.

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

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can result from leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a mild, small, yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancers in humans, but more research is needed to find out how this affects us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies showed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.

Lead


Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in many items like paints pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your surroundings. This could cause it to build up within the body. This can lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals for humans, such as creosote. The company has tried to clean up the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough, residents say.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is among the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have more creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote from the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which could cause death for 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 discover more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of the residents.

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

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at five times higher rate than expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

Website: https://www.transtats.bts.gov/exit.asp?url=https://meyers-colon-5.blogbright.net/the-lung-cancer-lawsuit-settlements-awards-the-top-worst-or-weirdest-things-weve-ever-seen