A Reference To Railroad Workers From Start To Finish
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. And now, the latest tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect people who live near.
Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical used to treat wood, is also a common one. It can also cause cancer in people exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance which is black or amber-colored and has a smoky scent and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to guard log structures and homes against decay and insect infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.
Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with several cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are a class of chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment, and can remain in the soil, air, or in sediment for a long period of time. They can be found in a variety places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that they can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most frequent way that people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.
However, it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that can have adverse effects on your health is contingent upon many 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 crucial to take into consideration your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that can affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.
The type of contaminant is also crucial. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others to the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also affect the immune system of a person and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.
For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The city's health department said on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said 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 plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. They were banned in 1979 after they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and hinder learning.
Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They are strong binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.
PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment as well as public health. Csx Lawsuit Settlements are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.
Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.
Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through the skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is small, pale yellow skin lesions which can be present for a period of weeks or years.
The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not completely understood. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but more research is needed to find out how this affects us.
EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal that is present in a variety of products like paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two routes: respiratory and oral.
It is a potent chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can cause it to accumulate within the body. This can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.
One of the biggest problems that arose from the contamination was the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than what is required for drinking water.
Another issue is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which could be fatal for children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer among those who breathe them. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the neighborhood to find out more about how the vapors affect the lives of residents.
This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and it should be addressed immediately.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five-fold more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.