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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 remove the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests show that the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.
Researchers believe it's due to the large number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a state health investigation, they found higher-than-expected rates 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 in the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It can cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.
It is used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the mouth or throat 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 or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
It is believed to be a human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with many types of cancer, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.
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 the soil beneath their homes and causing serious health problems.
They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they've been harmed by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for an extended period of. They can be found in a variety of places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues and weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood.
It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins can be detrimental to your health based on a variety of factors , including how much you drink, eat, and the frequency you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
The type of contaminant is also important. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others to the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system of the person and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.
For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer-related deaths which has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The announcement made by the city's health department revealed that they discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate given the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. PCBs were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and impair learning.
PCBs can be harmful to soil and water as well as air in many regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.
This is why PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals while pregnant.
The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure, since they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be the result of leaks or spills that occur in electrical and other equipment.
People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is a tiny, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for weeks to years.
The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this affects us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. Cancer Lawsuit has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. In two studies, children who were born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth, and/or later in childhood.
Lead
Lead is a poisonous metal that is found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.
It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the environment. This could cause it to build up in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer, among other diseases.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.
Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to remove the mess, but a 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 found in soil samples in the rail yard is higher than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote in the air. It can cause residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death for children as well as adults.
It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the residents who are breathing the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors affect the lives of residents.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and must be addressed immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.