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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 clean up an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect people who live nearby.

Researchers say it may be related to the elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation and railroad lawsuit Settlements a study by researchers, they found 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, a common chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad ties creosote cancer ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes against the effects of rot and insect invasion.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns, stomach pain, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.

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

It is believed to be a human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to a number kinds of cancers, including esophageal and lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and is spreading underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test frequently for contamination and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

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

They are seeking damages from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination, as well as other types of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the soil, air, water or in sediment for a long period of time. They can be found in diverse sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not yet known, there is evidence that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression and 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 are not volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins could affect your health depending on many factors , including how much you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important aspect. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others for human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. 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 a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and hinder learning.

PCBs can infect soil or water as well as air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

PCBs are a major concern to protect the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This could be pulmonary fibrosis caused by railroad how to get a settlement by leaks or spills that occur in electrical or other equipment.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through the skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for months or even years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are still not fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 is found in many items including paints, pipes and food containers. It can be absorbed by the body via two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body and can lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at a high risk of railway cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean its toxic site.

Union Pacific railroad lawsuit settlements (sneak a peek at this site) has a history in which it has caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the most important issues that resulted 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 concentration of creosote found in soil samples near the rail yard is higher than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow escape of creosote to the atmosphere. It is causing residents to inhale dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for both children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being carried out in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors impact the residents' lives.

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

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