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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 taken the necessary steps to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.

Cancer Lawsuit  is a dense oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote could be a risky chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a major concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to many types of cancer that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test frequently for contamination and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.

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 the soil beneath their homes and causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and can remain in the soil, air, or in sediment for a long duration. They are found in a variety of locations such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine imbalances such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes and hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily taken in by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could be detrimental to your health, based on numerous factors , including how much you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant crucial. According to  Cancer Lawsuit , certain toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also harm a person's immune system and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department stated that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These chemicals were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.

PCBs can infect soil or water as well as air in many parts of the globe once they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue to protect the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

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

People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact.  Cancer Lawsuits  can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a mild, small, yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, however more research is needed to find out how this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies found that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal that is found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

Railroad Workers  is a potent antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body and can lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents claim that the railroad has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the major problems that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow evaporation of creosote to the atmosphere. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among the people who breathe the vapors. To find out more about the effect of the vapors in 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 very sad situation that needs to be addressed immediately.

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