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 contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show the contamination could continue to affect people who live nearby.
Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a chemical commonly used in the treatment of wood. It is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance, ranging 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.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be employed to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.
Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote may be a risky chemical. Exposure to creosote for brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a significant concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
It is considered a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and is spreading underground.
The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.
In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing significant health issues.
They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim that they have been victimized by environmental racism and discrimination and other types of pollution that have impacted 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, soil or in sediment for a lengthy period. They can come from various sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't identified however, there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. The people who are exposed to higher levels are believed to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts . Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile or water-soluble so they are more easily taken in by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.
It is important to remember, however, that exposure can cause harm to your health, based on numerous factors such as how much you drink, eat, and how often you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other health factors that may influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.
The kind of contaminant is crucial. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also damage 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 years about a cluster of cancers that have been that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. Railroad Cancer Settlements on Friday by the city's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after being discovered to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and impair learning.
PCBs can contaminate soil or water as well as air in many areas around the globe after they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are often persistent and therefore, are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major issue to protect the environment and public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed these chemicals while pregnant.
The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This can result from leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.
Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for several weeks to several years.
However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this impacts us.
EPA is also studying whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. In two studies, children 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 is found in many products like paints pipes, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body via two main routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a potent chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your environment. This could cause it to build up in the body and can lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other ailments.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, including creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been trying to remove the contamination but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
One of the biggest problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have more creosote than is recommended for drinking water.
Another issue is the slow evaporation of creosote in the air. It can cause residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which can be fatal for children as well as adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. To learn more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being done in the neighborhood.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and must be addressed immediately.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.