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 clean up the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have shown that contamination is still affecting residents living nearby. Researchers suggest it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of an investigation across the state on health Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site. Creosote Creosote is a chemical commonly that is used in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in those exposed to it. It is a dense oily substance that's black or amber in color and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative. In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be a hazardous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage. Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer. According to the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. 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 over the years, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground. Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test frequently for contamination and take measures to stop the spread of the disease. A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing significant health issues. They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim that they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other types of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends. Dioxin Dioxins are substances that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, water soil or sediment for a long time. They can be derived from many sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste. Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't yet known yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine issues, like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues as well as hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish or other seafood. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has adverse effects on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and the amount of air you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins. The type of contaminant crucial. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote. For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also harm the immune system of a person, and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones. For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer-related deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department claimed that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release noted that the findings were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After being shown to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979. When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They are strong binders for organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment. In the end, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals. Additionally certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy. PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure since they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products. Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This can happen from leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment. In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for weeks or even years. However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but more studies are needed to discover how this impacts us. EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. 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 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 poisonous metal and is present in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes and food containers. railroad cancer lawyer can absorb it via two routes: oral and respiratory. It is an extremely oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can lead to its accumulation within the body and lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other ailments. In Houston residents living near a creosote treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site. Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to remove the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe. The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain more creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water. Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be dangerous for children and adults. It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to understand the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives. This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and needs to be dealt with immediately. A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at a five times higher rate than expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.
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