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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 an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect people who live near.
Researchers believe it is due to the high rate of cancers in the area. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney 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 is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky 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 safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.
According to the EPA It is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to various cancers such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.
Houston’s Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground.
The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test frequently for contamination and take measures to stop it from spreading.
In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused significant health issues from the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances which do not break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the air, water, or sediment for a lengthy period of time. They can be found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin are not clear at low levels, but there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and Railroad Workers Cancer endocrine issues, including 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 popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They aren’t liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood.
However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that will have a harmful effect on your health is contingent upon various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat and the amount of air you breathe. It is also important to consider your age, gender and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics along with other health factors that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.
The kind of contaminant used is crucial. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.
For years, residents in Houston’s Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer deaths that have been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their communities. The city’s health department said on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said the findings 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 will not be sufficient.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.
PCBs can contaminate soil, water, and air in a variety of regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.
This is why PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.
Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals in the womb.
PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure, as they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.
In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through the skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for weeks to years.
However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to better understand how this impacts us.
EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, such as low birth weight. 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 who were 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 products like paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a powerful chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your surroundings. It is able to accumulate within the body, which could cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other diseases.
In Houston the residents who live near a creosote legacy treatment facility run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the Railroad Workers Cancer (sites.google.com) to remove its contaminated facility.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
One of the major problems that stemmed from the contamination was the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than what is required for drinking water.
Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors, which could be fatal for both children and adults.
It is also possible that the gases are causing cancers in the residents who breathe the vapors. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the area to discover more about how the vapors impact the residents’ lives.
This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that must be addressed immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.
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