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

Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers found in the region. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state the researchers discovered that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

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

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

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come in 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 to a range of different types of cancer such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to an old rail yard located near their homes. They say the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.

In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused serious health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, water soil, or sediment for long periods. They can be derived from diverse sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't identified however, there is evidence to suggest that they could cause serious diseases like cancer. People exposed to higher levels have been found to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune system problems, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

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

It is vital to remember that exposure to dioxins can affect your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you eat, drink, and the frequency you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant can be an important factor. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The city's health department announced on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard.  Railroad Cancer Settlements  stated that the results were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They bind tightly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time which means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

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

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

PCBs are most commonly 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.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills in electrical and other equipment.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

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

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight.  Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements  has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 highly toxic metal that is found in a variety of items like paints, pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can build up in the body, and can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote legacy treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate 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 past history of contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples in the rail yard is greater than the levels recommended 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 dangerous levels of vapors, which are toxic for both children and adults.

Railroad Cancer Settlements  is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who breathe them. To find out more about the effect of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and should be taken care of immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at five times higher rate than expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.