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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.
Researchers say it may be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used to treat wood. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.
It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods like fence posts and utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. It is also used to protect log structures and homes against rot and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a serious issue for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
It is considered a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements has been linked to a number of different cancer types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test regularly for contamination and take steps to stop the spread of the disease.
In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing serious health issues.
They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that has affected them and their families.
Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts are chemicals which don't break down in environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, water soil or in sediment for long periods. They are found in many places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not known, there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses like cancer. Patients who are exposed at higher levels are believed to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune system problems, and endocrine disorders such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.
But it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that will have detrimental effects on your health depends on several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how much air you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
Additionally, the type of contaminant can be an important aspect. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of the person and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancers that have been caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements said the results were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are often persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.
In the end, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.
PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This can happen from leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.
People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for several weeks to several years.
However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to understand how this impacts us.
EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal that is found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. It can be absorbed by the body through two major routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can lead to its accumulation within the body and lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other diseases.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote facility are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's toxic site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been working to remove the contamination but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples in the rail yard is higher than the recommended level for drinking water.
Another concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are dangerous for children and adults.
It is also possible that the gases are causing cancers in the residents who breathe them in. To find out more about the impact of the vapors' effects on 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 and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.