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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. The latest tests have shown that contamination could still be impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe it is due to the high rate of cancers found in the region. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote which is a common chemical used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

In the United States, it is used to treat Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit ties as well as other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log structures and homes from the effects of rot and insect invasion.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.

Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a significant concern for those who come in 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 various cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer lawsuit settlements cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.

In October 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health issues.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering as well as damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim they have suffered the effects of environmental racism, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil or sediment for a long time. They can be found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence to suggest that they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal problems, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed is through water and food. They are not volatile and water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to remember that the amount of exposure that has detrimental effects on your health will depend on several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and the amount of air you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your age, gender, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other health factors that can affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the type of contaminant is also an important aspect. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.

For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They also can harm the immune system of a person, 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 of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department said that it found Cancer Lawsuit-causing chemicals on surface samples near the rail yard. The release said the results were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can contaminate soil or water as well as air in many parts of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter that can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern to protect the environment and public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.

In addition, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.

The most common 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 found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.

Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills in electrical equipment and other.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. A 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 born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and is found in many products, such as pipes, paints and food cans. The body can absorb it through two major routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer and Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements other diseases.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad Workers have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad Cancer has a history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been trying to remove the contamination but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the most important issues that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

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

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who breathe them. To find out more about the impact of the vapors on lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.

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

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.