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 creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. Now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.
Researchers believe it could be due to the high number of cancers found in the region. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote which is a common chemical that is used to treat wood is also a very common one. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance that's amber or black in color and has a smoky scent and burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log houses and other structures from decay and insect infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation to the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning in the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.
Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum cancers. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
It is considered a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to various cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. They say the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.
The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test frequently for contamination and take steps to stop the spread of the disease.
In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and causing serious health issues.
They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that affected them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are a class of chemicals that aren't able to break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, in the soil or sediment for a long time. They can be found in a variety of locations that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't identified however, there is evidence to suggest that they could cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin are found to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system disorders and endocrine imbalances, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, weakened immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed is through water and food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.
However, it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health is dependent on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat, and the amount of air you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.
In addition, the form of contaminant can be an important factor. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancers that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around 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 plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After being found to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.
PCBs can infect soil and water as well as air in many areas of the globe once they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter and are generally persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.
This is why PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Furthermore certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure, since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is affected by PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical or other equipment.
People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.
However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely recognized. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is needed to discover how this affects us.
The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or a later age.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal that is found in many items like paints pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a powerful chemical that can oxidize and react with other substances in your environment. It can build up within the body and can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to remove its contaminated facility.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. Residents say that the company has been working to remove the contamination but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples 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. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be harmful to children as well as adults.
It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the residents who breathe the vapors in. To find out more about the effect of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that must be addressed immediately.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia that was five times more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.