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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 rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests show the contamination could continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high number of cancers found in the region. Two years after the launch of an investigation into health issues across the state, researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote which is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It can cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

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

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a risky chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns stomach pain, burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA, it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with various cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated 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 requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and take steps 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 issues as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad in order to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

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

The health effects of dioxin are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal problems, suppressed immunity 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 to the toxins is through food and water. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.

However, it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that will have negative effects on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how often you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the form of contaminant is another important factor. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others for the health of humans. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer-related deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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

PCBs can be harmful to soil, water, and air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Some studies also show a link between 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. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.

Another method of being exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This can result from leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to understand how this impacts us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and is present in many products, such as paints, pipes, and food cans.  scleroderma caused by railroad how to get a settlement  absorbs it through two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals found in the environment. This could cause it to build up in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote legacy treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's toxic site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, like creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been trying to remove the contamination but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the most important issues that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples from the rail yard is much higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be harmful to children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who inhale them. To learn more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very sad situation that must 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 type of leukemia that was five times higher rate than expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.