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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination may be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.


Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in people exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance which is amber or black in color and has a smokey odor and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods like fence posts, utility poles, as well as marine pilings. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be a risky chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

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

It is considered a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with several cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time due to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and is spreading underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing serious health issues.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering as well as damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They also claim that they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for a long period of. They can come from a variety of sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not clear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. People exposed to higher levels are believed to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune system problems, and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger problems with hormones, immune suppression as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

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

It is important to remember that exposure to dioxins can cause harm to your health, depending on many factors such as how much you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other factors in your health that could affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant used is also crucial. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a negative effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (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 damage the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy bones, 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 linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their communities. The announcement made by the city's health department revealed that they found cancer-causing chemicals on surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system and inhibit learning.

PCBs can infect soil, water, and air in a variety of regions around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

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

Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This can result from leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.

In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through the skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for weeks to years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, but further research is needed to find out how this affects us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, including less weight at birth. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 and is found in many products, such as paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals present in your environment. It can build up within the body, which could cause serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has tried to clean up the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents believe.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard have more creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the area to discover more about how the vapors impact the lives of residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that must be addressed 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 areas 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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