Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that contamination is still impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high number of cancers found in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical used to treat wood. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a thick, oily substance that is black or amber-colored and has a smoky scent and a burnt flavor. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad ties, Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit as well as other types of woods, like fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to guard log houses and other structures from decay and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote may be an extremely hazardous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a major concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to many types of cancer, including esophageal cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement as well lung cancer.

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

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.

In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim 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 help cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been victimized by environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other types of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the soil, air, water or in sediment for a long time. They can be found in a variety of places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not yet known, there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine disorders, including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal problems, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most common way people are exposed is through water and food. They are not volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily taken in by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.

However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that can have negative effects on your health depends on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is an important factor. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancers that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department stated that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release 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 proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being shown to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil and water as well as air in many parts of the world after they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter and tend to remain in the environment for a long time which means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for the protection of the environment and public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure since they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

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

In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are not completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but more research is needed to find out the extent to which this impacts us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as lower birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies revealed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and is found in many products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can accumulate in the body, which can lead to serious health issues, such as pancreatic cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement and other diseases.

In Houston residents living near a creosote treatment facility owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad cancer lawsuit's contaminated facility.

The Union Pacific railroad workers cancer lawsuit (Crosstock officially announced) 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 company has tried to remove the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most severe effects of the contamination. A recent study by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples around the rail yard is higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it does, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors which are dangerous for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors impact the residents' lives.

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

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