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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 still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health inspection myelodysplastic syndrome caused by railroad how to get a settlement the state and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods like fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a risky chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation of the skin and eyes chemical burns stomach pain and burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to various cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to a former rail yard near their homes. They say the chemical has affected their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination , lymphoma caused by railroad how to get a settlement and take measures to prevent it from spreading.

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 lymphoma cll caused by railroad how to get a settlement by railroad lawsuit settlements how to get a settlement (please click the next page) major health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

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 to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that has impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that don't break down in environment quickly . They can be left in the air, in the soil or sediment for long periods. They can be found in diverse sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not known yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression, diabetes, menstrual issues 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 are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish or other seafood.

But it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that has detrimental effects on your health is dependent on many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much you breathe. It is also essential to consider your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other health factors that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is crucial. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.

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

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. Friday's announcement by the city's health department stated that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release noted that the results were not a good sign. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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

Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They are strong binders for organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible 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 while pregnant.

PCBs are most often ingested through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be emphysema caused by railroad how to get a settlement by leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is small, pale yellow skin lesions which can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are still not fully known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, however more studies are needed to understand how this impacts us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals cause birth defects for newborns, including less weight at birth. A low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. 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 highly toxic metal that is found in many products like paints pipes and food containers. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate within the body and could cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac railroad lawsuit settlements's creosote legacy plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contamination 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 for humans, such as creosote. The railroad has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient, residents say.

One of the major problems that arose due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples around the rail yard is higher than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It causes residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which can cause fatalities for both children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to the residents who breathe them in. A door-to-door health survey is currently being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

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