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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. The latest tests show that the contamination could continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers suggest it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state, they found higher-than-expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote which is a common chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

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

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

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

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA, it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with various cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a Railroad Cancer Settlements yard close to their homes. They say the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

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

In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused major health issues from the former rail yard.

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

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, in the soil or in sediment for long periods. They can be found in many places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't known, there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels have been found to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal problems, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, Union Pacific Houston Cancer dairy products, fish or other seafood.

It is vital to remember, however, that exposure can be detrimental to your health based on a variety of factors like how much you drink, eat and the frequency you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other health factors that can determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is also 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 to have a negative effect on your health.

For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release stated that 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 will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They bind strongly to organic matter, and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

This is why PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.

Additionally certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals during the womb.

PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills that occur in electrical and other equipment.

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

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to discover the extent to which this impacts us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, including less weight at birth. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it through two routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a strong chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can lead to it accumulating within the body and cause serious health issues like cancer, among other illnesses.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's toxic site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. The company has been trying to clean up the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents say.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples around the rail yard is much higher than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe in 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. To learn more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents there is 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 sad state of affairs and should be resolved immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.