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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 remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect people who live nearby.

Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to shield log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote may be a hazardous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. This is a significant concern for those who come into 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 range kinds of cancers such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

In October 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. 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 illnesses and suffering and damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in environment quickly . Union Pacific Cancer Cluster can be left in the air, soil or sediment for a lengthy period. They can be derived from many sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat fish, and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to chemicals can have a detrimental effect on your health depending on many factors like how much you consume, drink, and the frequency you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that may affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is also an important aspect. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also damage a person's immune system and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said 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, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. They were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system and inhibit learning.

PCBs can be harmful to soil or water as well as air in a variety of regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter and can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.

Furthermore certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.

The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another method of being exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spills from electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from several weeks to several years.

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to understand how this impacts us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 poisonous metal and can be found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely oxidizing chemical and can react with other substances in your environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body and cause serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote facility are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to cleanse the site that is contaminated.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to remove the mess, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents say.

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most grave consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote in the air. As it is, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are toxic for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. 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 major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and must be resolved 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 was anticipated. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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