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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 plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. And now, the latest tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.

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

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly used in the treatment of wood. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote may be an extremely hazardous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns stomach pain and burning in the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

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

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

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that do not break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a long period. They are found in a variety of locations that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most common way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.

However, it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that could have negative effects on your health depends on various 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 essential to consider your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other health factors that may affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster is next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the surface near the rail yard. The announcement 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 plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They bind tightly to organic matter, and are often persistent, meaning they are relatively easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spills that occur in electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through their skin. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster can cause the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies revealed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in many products like paints pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two major routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is an extremely antioxidant and can react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to direct the railroad to cleanse its toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been trying to remove the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.

One of the most important problems that arose due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. Railroad Workers Cancer by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow escape of creosote from the atmosphere. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be dangerous for children and adults.

It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the residents who are breathing the vapors in. To find out more about the impact of the vapors on lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.

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

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