Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians? Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn’t done enough to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination could be in the vicinity of residents. Researchers believe it's due to the large 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 expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site. Creosote Creosote is a chemical commonly that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in people exposed to it. It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preservative. In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns stomach pain, burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems. Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes. It is considered a probable human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to a number of different types of cancer including esophageal as well as lung cancer. Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes, and continues to spread underground. Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination , and take steps to prevent it from spreading. A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health problems. They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have suffered the effects of environmental racism, discrimination, and other types of pollution that has affected them and their families. Dioxin Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in environment quickly , and can remain in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a long period. They can be found in many places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste. The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne. 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, therefore they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish, and other seafood. It is nevertheless important to remember that the amount of exposure that will have a harmful effect on your health will depend on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how much air you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other health factors that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not. In addition, the form of contaminant is another important aspect. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. 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 affect the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones. For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department claimed that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release noted that the findings were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate in light of the findings. Polychlorinated Biphenyls PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979. PCBs can contaminate soil as well as water and air in many areas of the world after they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment. PCBs are a significant concern for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals. Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed these chemicals while pregnant. PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products. Another way to be exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spills in electrical and other equipment. People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years. The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to determine how this impacts us. The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases 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 railway cancer hospital varanasi is a highly toxic metal that is found in many items including paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory. It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate within the body and could cause serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases. Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to direct the railroad to cleanse its toxic site. The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough. The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than that recommended for drinking water. Another major concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which could be fatal for children and adults. It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who breathe them. To find out more about the impact of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood. This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and must be addressed immediately. A recent study 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-fold more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.
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