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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 creosote in the underground air at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination is still affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

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

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods like fence posts and utility poles, as well as marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log structures and homes against decay and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be a dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

According to the EPA the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to various cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They claim they have been harmed by racism in the environment discrimination, sexism, and other forms of pollution that affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment and they can stay in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended period of time. They can come from many sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, but there is evidence to suggest that they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger problems with hormones, immune suppression as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most popular way people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.

However, it is important to remember that the level of exposure that could have negative effects on your health depends on several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how much air you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally,  Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts  of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

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

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer-related deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their communities. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department claimed that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being found to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

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

PCBs are a major concern to protect the environment and public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.

Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals during the womb.

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

Another way to get exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This can result from spills or leaks that may occur in electrical and other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions which can last for weeks or even years.

However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, but more research is needed to find out how this affects us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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 highly toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent antioxidant and can react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to clean 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 for humans, such as creosote. The company has been working to remove the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents say.

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain more creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another concern is the gradual release of creosote from the atmosphere. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors which are toxic for both children and adults.

It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the residents who are breathing the vapors. To learn more about the effect of the vapors in the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.

This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and it should be dealt with immediately.

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