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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 clean up creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting people who live near.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state, they found higher-than-expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log structures and homes against the effects of rot and insect invasion.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be a risky chemical. Short-term exposure can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues.

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum tumors. This is a serious concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of different Cancer Lawsuit types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a former Railroad Workers Cancer yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test frequently for contamination and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

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

They are seeking compensation from the Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements to pay the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim that they have been suffering from environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can remain in the air, water, or sediment for an extended period of time. They are found in a variety of places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine imbalances like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not volatile or Union Pacific Houston Cancer water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.

However, it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that could have negative effects on your health depends on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you eat or drink and how much air you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and Union Pacific Houston Cancer age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant used is also important. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm effect on the human body than others. 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 as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system of a person and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer-related deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan 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. PCBs were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and hinder learning.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They are strong binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

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

Certain 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 most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure because they contain the highest amount of PCBs. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is affected by PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through the skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but more studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or older.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in a variety of items like paints pipes and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two main routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a potent chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals in your environment. This could cause it to build up in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to remove its toxic site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, such as creosote. The company has tried to remove the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.

One of the most significant problems that arose from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study by the health department shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples in the rail yard is much higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It can cause residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in those who breathe them in. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and it should be taken care of immediately.

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five times higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.