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 remove the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination is still affecting residents living nearby.
Researchers believe it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a chemical commonly used in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance that's amber or black in color and has a smoky scent and a burnt flavor. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote may be a dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.
It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with various cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground.
The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and implement preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused significant health problems from the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering, as well as damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They claim they've suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances that don't break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the air, water, or sediment for a lengthy period of time. They can be derived from various sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't well-studied, there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at a higher 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, hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of dairy products, fish, and other seafood.
It is vital to remember, however, that exposure can cause harm to your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you consume, drink, and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.
The type of contaminant equally important. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote affect your health.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements can also damage the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.
For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer deaths that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts said on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts stated that the results weren't 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 presented to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for over 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They bind tightly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.
PCBs are a significant concern to protect the environment and public health. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.
Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed PCBs in the womb.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Fish is the main source of exposure, since they contain the highest amount of PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills that could occur in electrical and other equipment.
People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.
However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to determine how this impacts us.
EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as low birth weight. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal that is found in a variety of items, such as paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.
It is a strong chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your surroundings. This could cause it to build up in the body , and could cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.
In Houston the residents who live near a creosote treatment facility run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough, residents say.
One of the major problems that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote in soil samples around the rail yard is greater than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another issue is the gradual release of creosote in the air. As it is, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be toxic for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who breathe them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors in the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very sad situation that must be addressed immediately.
A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five times higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.