Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians? Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could continue to affect those who live near. Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site. Creosote Creosote is a chemical commonly used to treat wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it. It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. Cancer Lawsuits is a coal tar distillation product and 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 kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log structures and homes from decay and insect infestation. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems. Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum cancers. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk. According to the EPA It is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types, including esophageal and lung cancer. Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread 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 adopt preventative measures to stop the spread. In October 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote emitted 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, as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim they've been affected by environmental racism, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them. Dioxin Dioxins are substances that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and they can be found in the soil, air, or sediment for a lengthy time. They can be derived from various sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste. Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not yet known but there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels have been found to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine imbalances like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed is through food and water. Railroad Workers are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood. It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could be detrimental to your health, based on numerous aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not. The type of contaminant is also crucial. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on the human body than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote. For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also damage the immune system of a person and affect the development of healthy teeth and bones. Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the findings were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient. Polychlorinated Biphenyls Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 after they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system and inhibit learning. PCBs can contaminate soil and water as well as air in many regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are generally persistent which means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment. In the end, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Some 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 in the womb. The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products. Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical or other equipment. In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years. However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to discover how this affects us. The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or a later age. Lead Cancer Lawsuit is a highly toxic metal that can be found in many products including paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two major routes: the respiratory and oral. It is a strong antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This could cause it to build up in the body , and could lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other diseases. Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site. The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. The company has been trying to eliminate the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents believe. One of the major issues that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than is recommended for drinking water. Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it is, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful to children as well as adults. It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the people who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the area to learn more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of the residents. This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and should be resolved immediately. A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.
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