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 up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination may be in the vicinity of residents.
Researchers believe it could be due to the large number of cancers in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log structures and homes from the effects of rot and insect invasion.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be a risky chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a major concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
According to Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of different cancer types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote because of a former railroad yard close to 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 demand that the company test regularly for contamination , and take steps 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 emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and causing serious health problems.
They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, water soil or in sediment for a long time. They are found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.
The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes and hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.
However, it is important to remember that the level of exposure that can have adverse effects on your health depends on several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, how often you eat or drink and how much air you breathe. It is also essential to consider your age, gender and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics along with other health factors that can determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.
The type of contaminant also 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 negative effect on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.
For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer deaths that have been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their neighborhoods. Friday's announcement by the city's health department claimed that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the rail yard. The announcement said that the results weren't encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being shown to cause cancer and suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.
Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and tend to be persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and build up in the environment.
In the end, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.
The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure because they contain the highest amount of PCBs. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by spills or leaks that may occur in electrical and other equipment.
People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.
However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to discover how this affects us.
EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals cause birth defects for newborns, including low 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 or a later age.
Lead
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in many products like paints pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body and lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other illnesses.
In Houston, people who live near a creosote legacy treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean up its toxic site.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
One of the most significant issues that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples near the rail yard is more than the recommended level for drinking water.
Another concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which can cause fatalities for both children as well as adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer for those who inhale them. To learn more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and should be addressed immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.