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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 done enough to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination could be affecting residents living nearby.
Researchers suggest it could be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance, amber to black in color. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements has a smokey smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.
It is employed in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, including fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It is also used to protect log houses and other structures from rot and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote could be a hazardous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation as well as 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 cancer. This is a major concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
It is believed to be a human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to various cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to an old rail yard close to their homes. They say the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil, and it continues to spread underground.
The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and to take measures to stop the spread of the disease.
In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil under their homes and causing serious health problems.
They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim to have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the soil, air, or sediment for a long period of time. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements are found in many places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not identified, there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.
However, it is crucial to be aware that the amount of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health is contingent upon many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you eat or drink and how often you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits and other health factors that may influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.
Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is an important factor. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others for human health. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system of the person and interfere with the development of healthy teeth and bones.
For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The city's health department said on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate given the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.
Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are generally persistent and therefore, are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.
PCBs are a significant concern for the protection of the environment and public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.
Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children exposed to these chemicals in the womb.
PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.
Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.
Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.
However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to discover how this impacts us.
EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or a later age.
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 a potent antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer, among other ailments.
In Houston the residents who live near a legacy creosote treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals for humans, such as creosote. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit has been trying to remove the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient, residents say.
The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is among the most severe consequences of the contamination. Railroad Cancer by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard have more creosote than that recommended for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to inhale harmful levels of vapors which could cause death for both children as well as adults.
It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to those who breathe the vapors in. To find out more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being done in the neighborhood.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and it should be resolved 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 expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.
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