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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 clean up creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination may be in the vicinity of residents.
Researchers say it may be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical that is used to treat wood is also a very common one. It is also a harmful 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 smokey smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also employed to protect log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause eye and skin irritation and chemical burns stomach pain, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.
Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.
According to the EPA It is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with several cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years, thanks to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil under their homes and causing significant health problems.
They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that affected their families as well as them.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, soil or in sediment for a long time. They can be derived from a variety of sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't yet known but there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal problems, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most common way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not volatile and water-soluble so they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.
It is vital to remember, however, that exposure can affect your health depending on many factors , including how much you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics and other health factors that can affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.
Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important aspect. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote to cause harm to your health.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also damage a person's immune system and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. They were banned in 1979 after they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and impair learning.
After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water across the world. They are strong binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.
Therefore, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.
In addition, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to these chemicals during the womb.
PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This could be caused by leaks or spills in electrical equipment and other.
People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that may last for several weeks to several years.
aplastic anemia caused by railroad how to get a settlement of PCBs upon human health are still not fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to understand how this impacts us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies showed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.
Lead
Lead is a poisonous metal and can be found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a strong chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals present in your environment. It is able to accumulate within the body and could cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.
In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to clean the site that is contaminated.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the company has been working to clean up contamination but the plan submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
One of the biggest issues that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples around the rail yard is greater than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote from the atmosphere. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be toxic for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at five times more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.