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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 have shown that contamination is still an issue for residents living nearby.

Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical that is used to treat wood is also a popular one. It can cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

Railroad Cancer Settlements is employed 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 structures. It is also used to protect log houses and other structures from insects and rot.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. This is a major concern for those who come 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 to a variety of cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to a former rail yard near their homes. They say the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil and 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 on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.

In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused major health issues 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 to have been affected by environmental racism, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

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


Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't identified, there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. People exposed to higher levels are believed to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine disorders such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbable by the body via the intake of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure to chemicals can affect your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the type of contaminant can be an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.

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

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a rash of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their communities. The announcement made by the city's health department revealed that they found cancer-causing chemicals on surfaces near the rail yard. The release 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 be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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

Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They bind tightly to organic matter and are generally persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and build up in the environment.

PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment as well as 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 linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

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

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

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through the skin. These chemicals can cause the condition 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 upon the health of humans aren't fully comprehended. Csx Lawsuit Settlements have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this affects us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, such as lower birth weight. Low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in a variety of items, such as paints, pipes, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a potent oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can lead to it accumulating in the body and can lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to remove the site that is contaminated.

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 say that the company has been working to clean up contamination but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain more creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which can cause fatalities for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who breathe them. To learn Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements about the effect of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and needs to be addressed immediately.

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

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