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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. Now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers say it may be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state, researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and Union Pacific Houston Cancer adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used to treat wood, is also a common one. It is also a cause of cancer in people exposed to it.

It is a dense, oily substance that is black or amber-colored and has a smoky odor and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used to guard log structures and homes from rot and insect infestation.

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

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

According to the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to many types of cancer which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to an old rail yard close to their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and to take steps to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health issues.

They are seeking compensation from the Railroad Cancer Lawyer to help cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that don't break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the soil, air, or in sediment for a long period of. They can be found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at greater risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

But it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that could have a harmful effect on your health is contingent upon various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other factors in your health that could affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is crucial. 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 negatively impact 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 teeth, bones 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 situated next to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said 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 proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause Cancer Lawsuit Settlements, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.

PCBs can be harmful to soil or water as well as air in many parts of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter that can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Furthermore certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are most often ingested through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure, since they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This could be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical or other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last from several weeks to several years.

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

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is present in a variety of products like paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of 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, like creosote. The company has tried to remove the mess, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.

One of the biggest problems that stemmed due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote into the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could be fatal for children and adults.

It is also possible that the gases are causing cancers in the residents who breathe them in. To find out more about the impact of the vapors on 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 it should be taken care of 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 that was five times higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.