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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 remove the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect people who live near.

Researchers suggest it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a popular one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a thick, oily substance that is amber or black in color and has a smoky scent and burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.

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 guard log structures and homes from rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says creosote is a risky chemical. Short-term exposure can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

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

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with various 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 railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination , and take measures to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by environmental racism, discrimination, and other types of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

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

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't yet known but there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive issues, a weak immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as weight loss, hair growth 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 food or drinking water. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is important to remember that the level of exposure that can have negative effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat and how much air you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is an important factor. 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 negative effect on your health than creosote.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near 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 proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for over 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.

PCBs can be harmful to soil as well as water and air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals during the womb.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Fish is the main source of exposure because they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.


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

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to better understand how this affects us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal that is found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can accumulate within the body and could lead to serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to direct the railroad to clean its toxic site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. The railroad has been trying to eliminate the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.

One of the most important problems that arose from the contamination was the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples near the rail yard is much higher than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors which are toxic for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who inhale them. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors are impacting the residents' lives.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a sad state of affairs and it should be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered 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 the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

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