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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 remove creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of an investigation across the state on health Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad back injury settlements ties, and other types woods, like fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures against insects and rot.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be an extremely dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a range of different cancer types, including esophageal and lung cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote because of a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and amount is spreading underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They also claim that they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that don't break down quickly in the environment and amount they can stay in the soil, air, water or sediment for a lengthy period of. They can be found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, but there is evidence that they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.

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 water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.

But it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that has detrimental effects on your health will depend on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and the amount of air you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant used is equally important. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.

For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also harm the immune system of the person and interfere with the development of healthy teeth and bones.

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer-related deaths which has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their neighborhoods. The city's health department announced on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release stated that the results 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 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 consumer products for over 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and are generally persistent which means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

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

Furthermore, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

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

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can be multiple myeloma caused by railroad how to get a settlement copd caused by railroad how to get a settlement leaks or spills that occur in electrical and other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a mild, small, yellow skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are not completely known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to discover how this impacts us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, such as low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 and can be found in many products, including paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can cause it to accumulate in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific railroad cancer settlements's creosote legacy plant are at risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to cleanse its contaminated facility.

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 railroad has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.

One of the most significant problems that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It can cause residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which could be fatal for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who inhale them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors on lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.

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

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia that was five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.