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. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination may be affecting residents living nearby.
Researchers believe it is due to the high rate of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical used for the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance that's amber or black in color and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.
It is employed in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, including fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.
Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote may be a hazardous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.
Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a serious concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. The chemical is said to have contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.
In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and causing significant health problems.
They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they have been harmed by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the air, water, or in sediment for a long duration. They are found in a variety places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. People exposed to higher levels have been found to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They are not volatile or water-soluble so they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.
But it is important to remember that the level of exposure that will have adverse effects on your health is dependent on various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how often you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
The kind of contaminant is equally important. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on the human body than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.
For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also affect the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths that are connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department stated that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release noted that the results weren't encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate given the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979, after being found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.
PCBs can contaminate soil and water as well as air in many parts of the world after they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter and can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.
As a result, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.
In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.
PCBs are mainly consumed 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 method of being exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This can happen from leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.
People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from months or even years.
However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to discover how this affects us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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 highly toxic metal that can be found in many items, such as paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a powerful chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.
In Houston, people who live near a creosote legacy treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean up its contaminated facility.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
One of the most significant issues that resulted from the contamination was the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the health department has shown that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples near the rail yard is more than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it does, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.
It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among those who breathe the vapors in. To find out more about the impact of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.
A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.