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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 an underground plume of creosote at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination may be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers say it may be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state the researchers found higher than anticipated levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a chemical commonly used to treat wood is also a very common one. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers when 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 coal tar distillation product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

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

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be a risky chemical. The exposure to creosote over brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach pains, burning in the mouth or throat, kidney or liver problems and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a significant concern for workers who are in 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, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote because of a former railroad yard close to their homes. They say the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.

In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused major health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They claim they've been affected by environmental racism, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that don't break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, soil or sediment for long periods. They are found in a variety places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system disorders and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

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

It is important to remember that exposure can have a detrimental effect on your health based on a variety of factors like how much you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant is crucial. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (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 also can harm the immune system of a person, and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.

Railroad Cancer Lawyer and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster cancer deaths caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release said the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can contaminate soil as well as water and air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are often persistent that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

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

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

Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for several weeks to several years.

The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to understand how this impacts us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, including less weight at birth. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal that is found in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can build up in the body, and could lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to clean the site that is contaminated.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, like creosote. The company has tried to eliminate the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents believe.

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be dangerous for children and adults.


It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to the residents who are breathing the vapors in. To learn more about the effect of the vapors on lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and needs to be addressed immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five-fold greater rate than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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