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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 the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it could be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a chemical commonly used in the treatment of wood is also a typical one. It can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance which is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used to safeguard log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a significant concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA It is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with several cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to stop the spread.

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

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they have suffered the effects of environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances which do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the soil, air, water or in sediment for a long period of time. They are found in a variety of locations such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin have been found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune system problems, and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

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

It is nevertheless important to remember that the amount of exposure that can have adverse effects on your health is contingent upon several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much air you breathe. You should also consider your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is also an important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.


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

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." Cancer Lawsuit Settlements stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being shown to cause cancer and suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can infect soil or water as well as air in many regions around the globe 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 issue to protect the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

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

Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This can happen from leaks or spills that could occur in electrical and other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored lesions that may last for months or even years.

The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't completely recognized. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to discover how this impacts us.

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

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. It can build up within the body and can lead to serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.

In Houston the residents who live near a legacy creosote treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean its toxic 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 remove the contamination but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

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

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

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who breathe them. To learn more about the effect of the vapors on lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and should be dealt with immediately.

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

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