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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 up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard.  Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit  have shown that the contamination may be impacting residents living near.

Researchers say it may be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a popular one. It is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods like fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be a risky chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns stomach pains, burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a serious concern for workers who are 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 with several cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to an old rail yard close to their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take steps to stop it from spreading.

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 soil beneath their homes , causing serious health problems.

They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they've been harmed by racism in the environment, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in environment quickly , and can remain in the air, soil, or sediment for a lengthy period. They are found in a variety of places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Patients who are exposed at higher levels have been found to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S.  Railroad Cancer  (USEPA), the most popular way people are exposed is through water and food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to remember that the amount of exposure that has detrimental effects on your health is contingent upon several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how much you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family traits and other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

Additionally, the type of contaminant can be an important aspect. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

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

For years, residents 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 located near their communities. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department said that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging."  Cancer Lawsuit Settlements  told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and interfere with learning.

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

PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure since they are the source of the most PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills in electrical or other equipment.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions which can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to determine how this affects us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. 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. In two studies, children who were 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 can be found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body through two main routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a potent chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating within the body and cause serious health issues like cancer, among other diseases.

In Houston, people who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance 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 carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. The company has tried to remove the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.

One of the major problems that arose from the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the recommended level 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 could cause death for both children and adults.

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

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

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five times higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.