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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests show the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a chemical commonly that is used to treat wood, is also a common one. It can also cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky scent and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for more than 150 years as a 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 can also be used to protect log houses and other structures from decay and insect infestation.

lymphoma caused by railroad how to get a settlement  United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote could be a hazardous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. This is a serious concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers that include esophageal aswell 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 the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against 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.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused serious health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They also claim that they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a long period. They are found in many places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

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

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking water or food. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to chemicals can have a detrimental effect on your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you eat, drink, and how often you breathe. It is also essential to consider your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other health factors that may affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the type of contaminant is an important factor. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.

For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also harm the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy bones, teeth and bones.

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer-related deaths which has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release stated that 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 won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. They were banned in 1979, after being proven to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and interfere with learning.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They bind tightly to organic matter and tend to remain in the environment for a long time and therefore, are easy to transport and build up in the environment.

As a result, PCBs are a major concern for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure since they are the largest source of PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can happen from leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a mild, small, yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not completely understood. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies revealed 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 poisonous metal that is found in many products, including pipes, paints and food containers. It can be absorbed by the body through two main routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer, among other diseases.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean up its contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the most significant problems that stemmed from the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study by the health department has shown that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples around the rail yard is much higher than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote into the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which can be fatal for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being carried out in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and it should be resolved immediately.

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