1. Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
2.  
3. For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination is still an issue for residents living nearby.
4.  
5. Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
6.  
7. Creosote
8.  
9. Creosote is a common chemical used to treat wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.
10.  
11. It is a heavy oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.
12.  
13. It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes against the effects of rot and insect invasion.
14.  
15. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote may be a hazardous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.
16.  
17. Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.
18.  
19. According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to various cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.
20.  
21. Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a former railroad yard close to their homes. Railroad Cancer Lawyer claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground.
22.  
23. Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.
24.  
25. In October 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil under their homes and causing serious health problems.
26.  
27. They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim to have suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that affected their families as well as them.
28.  
29. Dioxin
30.  
31. Dioxins are substances that do not break down quickly in the environment, and can remain in the air, water, or in sediment for a long period of time. They can be derived from various sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.
32.  
33. Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not yet known, there is evidence that they could cause serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal problems, suppressed immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.
34.  
35. 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 aren't volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.
36.  
37. It is important to remember that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health, depending on many factors like how much you drink, eat and the frequency you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other health factors that may determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.
38.  
39. In addition, the form of contaminant is an important factor. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others for human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are more likely than creosote affect your health.
40.  
41. For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They also can harm the immune system of a person, and interfere with the development of healthy teeth and bones.
42.  
43. For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer-related deaths which has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.
44.  
45. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
46.  
47. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After being proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.
48.  
49. PCBs can be harmful to soil or water as well as air in a variety of regions around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.
50.  
51. PCBs are a major problem for the protection of the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.
52.  
53. Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.
54.  
55. PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure since they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
56.  
57. Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills in electrical or other equipment.
58.  
59. People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that may last for months or even years.
60.  
61. The effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, but further studies are needed to understand how this impacts us.
62.  
63. EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, such as lower birth weight. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or a later age.
64.  
65. Lead
66.  
67. Lead is a poisonous metal that is found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: oral and respiratory.
68.  
69. It is a strong antioxidant and can react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer, among other diseases.
70.  
71. Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to cleanse its toxic site.
72.  
73. Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been trying to get rid of the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.
74.  
75. The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.
76.  
77.  
78. Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful to children as well as adults.
79.  
80. It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the people who breathe the vapors in. A door-to door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors impact the lives of residents.
81.  
82. This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and it should be resolved immediately.
83.  
84. A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia that was five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.
85.  
86. Website: https://sites.google.com/view/railroadcancersettlements