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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 creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have shown that contamination is still affecting residents living nearby.
Researchers believe that it could be due to the high number of cancers found in the region. Two years after the launch of an investigation across the state on health and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote which is a common chemical used to treat wood, is also a common one. It can also cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a thick, oily substance that is black or amber in color and has a smoky odor and burnt taste. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.
It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, including fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It can also be used for protecting log homes and other structures against rot and insect infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach pain burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA It is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number kinds of cancers including esophageal and lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years, thanks to a former rail yard near their homes. They say the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.
The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test frequently for contamination and take steps to stop it from spreading.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing significant health problems.
They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, and other types of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, soil or sediment for long periods. They can be found in a variety places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine disorders including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues as well as hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.
It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health depending on many factors such as how much you eat, drink, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other health factors that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.
The kind of contaminant used is equally important. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others to human health. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also damage the immune system of the person 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 have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surfaces near the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.
After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major concern for the protection of the environment and public health. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements is adamant that they are a carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Railroad Workers is the most common source of exposure, since they are the source of the most PCBs. 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 polluted with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.
In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.
However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully known. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to understand how this impacts us.
EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children who were born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth, and/or later in childhood.
Lead
Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in many items like paints, pipes and food cans. 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 in your surroundings. This can lead to its accumulation within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.
In Houston residents living near a legacy creosote treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to clean its toxic site.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
One of the biggest problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than what is required for drinking water.
Another issue is the slow release of creosote in the air. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could cause death for both children as well as adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer among those who breathe them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five-fold more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.
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