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 clean up the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination may be impacting residents living near. Researchers believe that it could be due to the high rate of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site. Creosote Creosote is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in those exposed to it. It is a dense, oily substance that is black or amber in color and has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative. In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log houses and other structures from rot and insect infestation. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote could be a hazardous chemical. Exposure to creosote for brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage. Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a significant concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes. According to the EPA the EPA, it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. 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 a long time, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground. Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and to take steps to stop it from spreading. In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing serious health issues. They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They also claim to be victimized by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that has adversely affected their families and friends. Dioxin Dioxins are substances that don't break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil or sediment for a long time. They can come from many sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste. Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not known, there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues, like 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 volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood. However, it is crucial to be aware that the amount of exposure that has adverse effects on your health depends on many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how much air you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins. The kind of contaminant is equally important. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on human health than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health. PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy teeth, bones and bones. Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancers that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. These chemicals were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and hinder learning. After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They bind tightly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time that means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment. Therefore, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals. Furthermore, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb. PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure because they are the largest source of PCBs. 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 is contaminated with PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spills from electrical and other equipment. People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years. The effects of PCBs upon human health are not completely recognized. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to determine how this impacts us. The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. 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 who were born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth, and/or later in childhood. Lead Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is a toxic metal and is present in many products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it through two major routes: respiratory and oral. It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other substances in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body and cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses. Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility. The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. The company has been trying to clean up the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents say. One of the most significant issues that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than that recommended for drinking water. Another issue is the slow release of creosote from the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful for children as well as adults. It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the people who breathe them in. To learn more about the effects of the vapors in the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood. This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and should be resolved immediately. A recent study conducted 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 times greater rate than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.
Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements
