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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 creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting people who live near.

Researchers believe it's due to the high rate of cancers in the region. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a heavy oily substance which is black or amber-colored and has a smokey odor and a burnt flavor. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot 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 and burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum bladder cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, Multiple Myeloma Caused By Railroad How To Get A Settlement soil and is spreading underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

In October 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused major health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering as well as damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment and they can be found in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended duration. They can be found in a variety places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger serious diseases like cancer. The people who are exposed to higher levels have been found to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, weakened immunity and 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 aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to be aware that the amount of exposure that will have detrimental effects on your health is contingent upon numerous factors, multiple myeloma Caused by railroad how to get a settlement including the amount you eat or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.

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

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer deaths that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal presented to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and interfere with learning.

PCBs can contaminate soil as well as water and air in many regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter and tend to remain in the environment for a long time, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and build up in the environment.

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

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

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

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills that can be Multiple Myeloma Caused By Railroad How To Get A Settlement by electrical or other equipment.

In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from weeks to years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, however more research is needed to find out how this affects us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease 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

Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in many items like paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body and can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific railroad strike settlement's creosote legacy plant are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help 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 chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, like creosote. The railroad cancer settlements has been trying to eliminate the mess, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient, residents say.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. 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 much higher than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow release of creosote in the air. As it is, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful to children as well as adults.

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the residents who breathe them in. A door-to-door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to discover more about how did railroads make western settlement possible the vapors impact the residents' lives.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.

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