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

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

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a popular one. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

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

It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It is also used to guard log houses and other structures from decay and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can result in skin and eye irritation and chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.

Houston’s Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a Railroad Cancer Lawyer (Sites Google said in a blog post) yard right next to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination , and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They also claim that they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other types of pollution that have impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that don’t break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the soil, air, or sediment for an extended period of. They can be found in a variety places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for Railroad Cancer Lawyer heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

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

It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure can cause harm to your health based on a variety of factors like how much you consume, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family traits and other health factors that can affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the form of contaminant is another important factor. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others for human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system of the person and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.

Houston’s Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths that are connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The city’s health department announced on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release noted that the results 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 won’t suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. They were banned in 1979, after being discovered to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.

PCBs can be harmful to soil and water as well as air in many parts of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

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

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure, as they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

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

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a mild, small skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren’t completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to better understand how this impacts us.

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

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products like paints pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it via two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can build up in the body, and can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.

In Houston residents living close to a creosote-based treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to clean up its toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the railroad has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the major problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow release of creosote from the atmosphere. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors which can be fatal for both children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer for those who breathe them. To find out more about the impact of the vapors on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It’s a sad state of affairs and should be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.