Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote in the underground air at its contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show the contamination could continue to affect people who live near.
Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers in the area. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.
It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from insect infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is potentially dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns, stomach pains, burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
According to the EPA It is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to various cancers which include esophageal, as well as lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. The chemical is said to have affected 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 for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.
In October 2017, a group 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 compensation for their ailments and suffering as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that has impacted them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are a class of chemicals that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, soil or sediment for a long period. They are found in a variety of locations that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, but there is evidence to suggest that they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Railroad Workers exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at greater risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine imbalances such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, weakened immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.
However, it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that can have detrimental effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you eat or drink and the amount of air you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other factors in your health that could affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.
In addition, the form of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also affect 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 a cluster of cancer deaths that are caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release said the results were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
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 proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water across the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter that can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a potential carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to 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 be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.
Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that occur in electrical and other equipment.
People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions which can be present for a period of weeks or years.
The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't fully recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to determine how this impacts us.
The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. 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. 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 toxic metal that can be found in a variety of items like paints, pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it through two routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can lead to its accumulation in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.
In Houston the residents who live near a legacy creosote treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals for humans, such as creosote. The company has tried to clean up the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.
One of the most significant problems that stemmed from the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples from the rail yard is much higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.
Railroad Workers for concern is the slow escape of creosote from the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which could cause death for both children as well as adults.
It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the people who breathe them in. A door-to-door health survey is currently being carried out in the neighborhood to discover more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents.
Railroad Workers is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and needs to be dealt with immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.