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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 an underground plume of creosote at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination may be an issue for residents living nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state and they found higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote


Creosote is a chemical commonly that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

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

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

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA It is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of cancers of various types including esophageal as well as 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 claim the chemical has affected 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 demand that the company test for contamination regularly and implement preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.

In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. Railroad Cancer claim that they have suffered the effects of environmental racism, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly . Railroad Cancer Lawyer can be left in the air, water soil, or sediment for long periods. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit can be found in many places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious illnesses such as cancer. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system disorders and endocrine changes like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive issues, a weak 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 popular way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be absorbed into 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 has a harmful effect on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the type of contaminant is another important aspect. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others for human health. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system and cause issues 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 that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department said that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release said the results weren't encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being shown to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are often persistent that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major problem to protect the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

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

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from a few weeks to a few years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are not completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, however more studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in the course of. In two studies, children 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 highly toxic metal that is found in many products like paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is an extremely chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. It can build up within the body and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to clean up its contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been working to remove the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most severe consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department has revealed that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples around the rail yard is greater than the recommended levels for drinking water.

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

It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the people who breathe them in. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that must be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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