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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 creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. The most recent tests have shown that contamination could still be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, including fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It can also be used to protect log structures and homes from insects and rot.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote can be an extremely hazardous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns, stomach pain, burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to railway cancer.

According to the EPA the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test 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 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 illness and suffering and compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for a long period of. They can be found in diverse sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can trigger serious diseases like cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels have been found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine imbalances including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, suppressed immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to remember that the level of exposure that can have adverse effects on your health is dependent on several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how did railroads encourage settlement of the west much you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the form of contaminant is also an important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release noted that the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 after they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and hinder learning.

PCBs can infect soil as well as water and air in a variety of regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern for the protection of the environment and Railroad Lawsuit Settlements public health. They are regarded as a possible 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 especially true for children exposed to PCBs in the womb.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure, since they contain the highest amount of PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

Another method of being exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spills from electrical and other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for weeks to years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this affects us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, such as lower birth weight. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children who were 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 toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products like paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer, among other ailments.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote legacy treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad workers cancer lawsuit Settlements - demo01.zzart.Me,'s contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the railroad has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is among the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples near the rail yard is much higher than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who inhale them. To learn more about the effect of the vapors on the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed immediately.

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