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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. The latest tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live nearby.
Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years after the launch of an investigation into health issues across the state Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is one of the most common chemicals that is used in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.
It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, as well as marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log homes and other structures against insects and rot.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns, stomach pain and burning in the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.
Long-term exposure 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.
It is believed to be a human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to a range of different types of cancer including esophageal and lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and to take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil under their homes and causing significant health problems.
They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering as well as damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit claim that they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other forms of pollution that have impacted them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in environment quickly and can remain in the air, water soil or sediment for a long period. They can be found in a variety of locations that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.
The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed is through water and food. They are not volatile or water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.
It is vital to remember that exposure can have a detrimental effect on your health depending on many factors , including how much you consume, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your age, gender and nutrition status, as well as diet and family traits in addition to other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.
The kind of contaminant is equally important. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of the person and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.
For years, neighbors in 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 communities. The city's health department announced on Friday that it has found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979 following being found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and impair learning.
When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.
PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Certain 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 in the womb.
The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure, since they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy 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 by breathing in the air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.
However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. 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 found that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or later in life.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal that can be found in a variety of items like paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.
It is a potent antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This could cause it to build up within the body and cause serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.
Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, like creosote. The railroad has been trying to clean up the mess, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents claim.
The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples around the rail yard is much higher than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote from the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are toxic for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who inhale them. To find out more about the effect of the vapors in the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a sad state of affairs and it should be dealt with immediately.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.