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 an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect people who live near. Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers in the region. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site. Creosote Creosote, a common chemical, is that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it. It is a dense oily substance, 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 to preserve wood. It is employed in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It can also be used to shield log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues. Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. 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 possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number of cancers of various types including esophageal as well as lung cancer. Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground. Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread. In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing serious health problems. They are seeking damages from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that affected them and their families. Dioxin Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, water soil or sediment for a long time. They can be found in diverse sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste. The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine problems, including 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 common way people are exposed is through food and water. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood. Cancer Lawsuit is vital to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can affect your health, based on numerous factors like how much you consume, drink, 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. The type of contaminant is equally important. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote. For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also harm the immune system of a person, and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth. Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department revealed that they had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be sufficient in light of the findings. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979. PCBs can cause contamination of soil as well as water and air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are generally persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and build up in the environment. In the end, 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 certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb. PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure because they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products. Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This can result from leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment. In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for weeks to years. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements of PCBs upon human health are not fully understood. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to discover what this means for us. EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies showed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or a later age. Lead Lead is a highly toxic metal that is present in a variety of products like paints pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory. It is a potent chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other substances in your environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body and lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses. In Houston the residents who live near a legacy creosote treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. Railroad Workers has asked for the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site. 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, like creosote. The company has been working to get rid of the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents say. The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most severe effects of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote in soil samples in the rail yard is greater than the recommended level for drinking water. Another concern is the slow escape of creosote in the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are toxic for both children and adults. It is also possible that the vapors are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing the vapors in. To find out more about the impact of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood. This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and needs to be addressed immediately. 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 form of leukemia at five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas. Website: https://telegra.ph/How-To-Outsmart-Your-Boss-On-Railroad-Cancer-Lawsuit-Settlements-04-16