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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination could be affecting residents living nearby.
Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used in the treatment of wood. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.
It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, including fence posts and utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. It can also be used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a hazardous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation to the skin and eyes chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.
Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.
According to the EPA the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with several cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread throughout the 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 take preventative measures to prevent the spread.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused major health problems as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering as well as damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim they've been harmed by racism in the environment, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are a class of chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the soil, air, or in sediment for a long duration. They can come from diverse sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that they can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. People who are exposed to higher levels are believed to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system disorders and endocrine disorders including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes and hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed is through water and food. They are not volatile and water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbable by the body via the intake of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.
However, it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health is contingent upon numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much air you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.
The type of contaminant also important. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.
For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer-related deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit announced Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.
PCBs can be harmful to soil and water as well as air in many regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.
This is why PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals while pregnant.
PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure, since they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.
Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. Railroad Cancer could be the result of leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.
In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for weeks to years.
However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to determine how this affects us.
EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. A low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or later in life.
Lead
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products like paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body through two major pathways: the respiratory and oral.
It is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer, among other illnesses.
Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean up the site that is contaminated.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit claim that the company has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
One of the major issues that resulted from the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples near the rail yard is much higher than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another issue is the slow evaporation of creosote into the atmosphere. It can cause residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can cause fatalities for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. To learn more about the effect of the vapors in the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that must 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 neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at five times higher rate than expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.
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