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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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests show the contamination could still be affecting people who live near.

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

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It can also 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 burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, including fence posts and utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to guard log homes and other structures against decay and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to various cancers such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard right next to their homes. They claim the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and take steps to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing serious health issues.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim they have been affected by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other types of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the air, water, or in sediment for a long period of time. They can come from various sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. People exposed to higher levels have been found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine disorders including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes, hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They are not volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.


It is nevertheless important to remember that the level of exposure that could have detrimental effects on your health depends on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant equally important. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are more likely than creosote affect your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department revealed that they had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter and can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue to protect the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.

Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

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

Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This can result from leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.

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

The effects of PCBs on human health are still not completely known. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to discover the extent to which this impacts us.

Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts is also investigating whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found 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, such as paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This could cause it to build up in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer, among other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been working to get rid of the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.

One of the most significant issues that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote from the atmosphere. As it is, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be toxic for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer for those who inhale them. To find out more about the impact of the vapors on lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates 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 common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/railroadcancersettlements