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 underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. And now, the latest tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers suggest it could be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years after the launch of an investigation into health issues across the state the researchers discovered 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 is a popular 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 which is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky scent and burnt 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 and other types 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.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning in the throat or mouth wayne and mary union pacific railroad settlement liver or kidney problems.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a major concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers which include esophageal, as well lung railway cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and to take steps to stop the spread of the disease.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil, causing significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination as well as other types of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for a long period of time. They can be found in many places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't well-studied but there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

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

It is important to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health, depending on many factors , including how much you drink, eat and the frequency you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant used is also crucial. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others for the health of humans. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths that are mesothelioma caused by railroad how to get a settlement by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release noted that the results were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. PCBs were banned in 1979 following being found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and hinder learning.

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They bind tightly to organic matter and are generally persistent which means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for the protection of the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.

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

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

Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills that could occur in electrical and other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored lesions that last for weeks or even years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but further studies are needed to understand how this affects us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth and/or later in childhood.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your surroundings. It is able to accumulate in the body, which could cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston residents living near a creosote legacy treatment facility run by Union Pacific railroad union settlement have a high rate of railway cancer patient concession form. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad ties Cancer; https://click4r.com/,'s contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been trying to clean up contamination but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote in soil samples from the rail yard is more than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It can cause residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can cause fatalities for both children and adults.

It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the residents who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and needs to be resolved immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and railroad Ties Cancer Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.