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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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have shown that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it could be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.


Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly used to treat wood. It can cause cancer in people exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance which is black or amber in color and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

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

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a major concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a range of cancers of various types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.

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

In October of 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing significant health issues.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been suffering from environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.

Railroad Cancer Lawsuit are chemical compounds that don't break down quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended period of. They can be found in a variety of locations such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't identified yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, weakened immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to Railroad Cancer . Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure can have a detrimental effect on your health based on a variety of factors like how much you consume, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the form of contaminant is another important aspect. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department stated that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements said the results were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. PCBs were banned in 1979, after they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and impair learning.

PCBs can infect soil as well as water and air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter, and are generally persistent which means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.

In the end, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure, since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

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

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand how this affects us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, such as lower birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, 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 toxic metal that can be found in a variety of items like paints pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two major pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other substances in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer, among other ailments.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment facility owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the major issues that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer for those who breathe them. A door-to-door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors are impacting the residents' lives.

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

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

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