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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 that is contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live nearby.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the large number of cancers in the area. Two years into a state health investigation and they found higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance which is black or amber-colored and has a smoky odor and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures against decay and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote could be an extremely hazardous chemical. In short-term exposure, railroad cancer lawsuit settlements it can cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns stomach pain and burning in the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to a range of different types of cancer including esophageal and Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, because of a former railroad cancer lawsuit settlements - aishwarya-rai-in-taal-pictures-Of.blogspot.com.xx3.kz, yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and is spreading underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused major health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering, as well as compensation from the Railroad Workers And Cancer for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They also claim to be suffering from environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the air, water, or sediment for a lengthy period of. They can be found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence to suggest that they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Patients who are exposed at higher levels are believed to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine changes including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed to 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 meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

It is vital to remember that exposure can be detrimental to your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other health factors that may affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is equally important. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to affect your health.

For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also affect the immune system of a person and hinder the growth 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 deaths that have been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The city's health department announced on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release noted that the results weren't encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for over 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

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

As a result, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.

Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals while pregnant.

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be the result of leaks or spillages in electrical equipment and other.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are still not fully understood. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but further research is needed to find out how this impacts us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in many items including paints, pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body and lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote treatment facility owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. The railroad has been trying to remove the mess, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents say.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples in the rail yard is greater than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote in the air. As it is, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are toxic for both children and adults.

It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the residents who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors are impacting 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 dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.