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 clean up the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. Now, Union Pacific Houston Cancer the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers believe it could be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation, they found higher-than-expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a popular one. It can cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.

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

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 protect log structures and homes against insects and rot.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be an extremely hazardous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns stomach pain burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into 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 several cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and is spreading underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.

In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing significant health problems.

They are seeking damages from the railroad to help cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and Union Pacific Houston Cancer themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the soil, air, water or sediment for a lengthy period of time. They can be derived from diverse sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't yet known but there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

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

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to chemicals can have a detrimental effect on your health, based on numerous aspects, such as the amount you eat, drink, and the frequency you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other factors in your health that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is also an important factor. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on human health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. 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 years about a cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific Cancer Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department said that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal presented to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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

PCBs can infect soil and water as well as air in a variety of regions around the globe after they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time and therefore, are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern for the protection of the environment and public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

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

Another way to be exposed PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spillages in electrical or other equipment.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last from weeks to years.

However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns 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 born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in a variety of items like paints pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can lead to it accumulating within the body. This can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts's legacy creosote plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to clean up the site that is contaminated.

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

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most severe consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples from the rail yard is much higher than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is the gradual release of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can cause fatalities for both children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who breathe them. To find out more about the effect of the vapors on lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and must be taken care of immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were 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 the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.