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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests show that the contamination could continue to affect those who live nearby. Researchers believe that it could be due to the high incidence of cancers in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state they discovered higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site. Creosote Creosote which is a common chemical used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a cause of cancer in people who are exposed to it. It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative. It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures against rot and insect infestation. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. Exposure to it for short periods can cause eye and skin irritation, chemical burns stomach pain, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit for long periods can cause skin and scrotum cancers. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk. According to the EPA it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with various cancers which include esophageal, as well lung 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. Railroad Cancer claim the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground. Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test regularly for contamination , and take measures to stop the spread of the disease. In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing significant health problems. They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other kinds of pollution that have impacted them and their families. Dioxin Dioxins are a class of chemicals that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for long periods. They can be derived from many sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste. The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. People exposed to higher levels have been found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine changes like hormonal imbalances. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues and hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood. But it is important to remember that the level of exposure that could have negative effects on your health is contingent upon various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how much you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins. In addition, the type of contaminant can be an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a damaging effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote. PCBs can cause damage to eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones. Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths that are caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is close to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release said the results were not a good sign. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979. PCBs can infect soil as well as water and air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter, and are often persistent that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment. As a result, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals. Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb. PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure, since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products. Showering and drinking Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical and other equipment. Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions which can be present for a period of weeks or years. However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to better understand how this impacts us. EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or older. Lead Lead is a toxic metal that is found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it through two major routes: oral and respiratory. It is a powerful chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating within the body. This can lead to serious health problems like cancer, among other diseases. Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean up the site that is contaminated. The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, including creosote. The railroad has been trying to get rid of the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents claim. Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples near the rail yard is higher than the recommended levels for drinking water. Another issue is the gradual release of creosote into the atmosphere. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which can be fatal for children and adults. It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the residents who are breathing the vapors in. To find out more about the effect of the vapors' effects on the 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 communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and must 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 form leukemia at a five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.
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