Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians? For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect people who live nearby. Researchers suggest it could be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state health investigation and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site. Creosote Creosote which is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It can cause cancer in those exposed to it. It is a heavy oily substance which is black or amber in color and has a smoky smell and a burnt flavor. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood. In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also employed to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation. According to Cancer Lawsuit Settlements United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can result in skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage. Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes. According to the EPA It is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number of different types of cancer such as esophageal or lung cancer. Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, because of a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground. The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading. A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil under their homes and causing significant health issues. They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they've suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them. Dioxin Dioxins are chemicals which aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, water soil or sediment for a long period. They can be found in a variety of places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste. Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not identified however, there is evidence to suggest that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, weakened immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most frequent way that people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood. However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that could have negative effects on your health will depend on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins. The kind of contaminant is crucial. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a negative effect on human health than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to cause harm to your health. PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They also can harm a person's immune system and affect the development of healthy teeth and bones. For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer-related deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said 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 isn't adequate given the findings. Polychlorinated Biphenyls PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. PCBs were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and impair learning. PCBs can infect soil and water as well as air in a variety of regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter and are generally persistent which means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment. PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Railroad Cancer Lawyer link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb. The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. 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 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. Railroad Cancer can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from a few weeks to a few years. The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, however more studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us. The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or older. Lead Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in many products including paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral. It is a powerful oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can build up within the body, which can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments. Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site. The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the company has been working to clean up contamination but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient. One of the most significant problems that stemmed from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than is recommended for drinking water. Another cause for concern is the slow release of creosote to the atmosphere. It causes 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 the people who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to understand the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents. This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and should be dealt with immediately. A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.
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