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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. And now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect people who live near.

Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell 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 used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of different types of cancer, including esophageal and lung cancer.

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

The cities 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 implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.

In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused serious health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering as well as damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They also claim that they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other types of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, water soil, or sediment for a long period. They can be derived from many sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence to suggest that they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, including 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 common way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, which means they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure to dioxins can have a detrimental effect on your health, depending on many factors like how much you eat, drink, and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the type of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system of the person and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said 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 proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and impair learning.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil as well as water and air in many parts of the world after they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.

Additionally certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spillages in electrical or other equipment.

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

The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't fully comprehended. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements have suggested they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but more studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. Railroad Workers of newborns is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and is found in many products, including paints, pipes, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.

Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements is a powerful oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can build up within the body, which could cause serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to cleanse its toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has tried to get rid of 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 one of the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which can cause fatalities for children and adults.

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the residents who breathe them in. To learn more about the impact of the vapors on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and must be addressed immediately.


A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher in 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 these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.

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