Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination is still an issue for residents living nearby.
Researchers believe it is due to the high rate of cancers found in the region. Two years into a health study conducted by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.
It is a dense, oily substance that is amber or black in color and has a smoky smell and burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.
It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to guard log houses and other structures from insects and rot.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a hazardous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can result in skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to various cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, thanks to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.
The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused major health problems from the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim that they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that have impacted them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for an extended period of time. They can be derived from a variety of sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. Patients who are exposed at higher levels have been found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine disorders like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbable by the body via the intake of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.
However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that can have a harmful effect on your health is dependent on various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much air you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family traits in addition to other health factors that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.
In addition, the form of contaminant is an important factor. 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 negatively impact your health.
For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also damage the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy bones, 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 situated next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department revealed that they had found cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release noted that 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 proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being found to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are often persistent which means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.
PCBs are a significant concern to protect the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Fish is the primary source of exposure, since they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.
People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from weeks to years.
However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this impacts us.
EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or later in life.
Lead
Lead is a highly toxic metal that is present in a variety of products like paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it through two routes: the respiratory and oral.
Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit is a strong chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. It can build up within the body, which could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.
Houston residents who live near to 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.
Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents claim that the company has been trying to clean up contamination but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
One of the most important problems that stemmed from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples around the rail yard is more than the levels recommended for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the slow release of creosote from the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which can cause fatalities for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who breathe them. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the area to discover more about how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a sad state of affairs and it should be resolved immediately.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five times higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.