Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be an issue for residents living nearby.
Researchers believe it could be due to the high rate of cancers found in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state and they found higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a common chemical employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.
It is employed in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a significant concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to various cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, thanks to a former railroad yard right next to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and is spreading underground.
The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and take measures to prevent 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 significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim that they have suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that affected them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, water soil, or sediment for a long period. They are found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk for organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal problems, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.
It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure to chemicals can be detrimental to your health, depending on many factors such as how much you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other factors in your health that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.
In addition, the type of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. Cancer Lawsuit can also affect the immune system of a person and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancers that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The city's health department announced 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 intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being found to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They are strong binders of organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.
In the end, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.
Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.
The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.
Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.
People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.
The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not completely known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, but more research is needed to find out how this affects us.
EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, including lower birth weight. A low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies showed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or older.
Lead
Lead is a poisonous metal that is found in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.
It is an extremely antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body. This can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.
In Houston residents living close to a creosote-based treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to clean up its contaminated 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, such as creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than what is required for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which can cause fatalities for both children as well as adults.
It is also possible that the vapors are causing cancers in the people who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors impact the lives of residents.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and must be resolved immediately.
A recent study conducted 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 five times higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.