Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t done enough to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination is still affecting residents living nearby.
Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. 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 lymphoblastic cancer in children as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a common chemical used to treat wood. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.
It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log homes and other structures against the effects of rot and insect invasion.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be an extremely hazardous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.
Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
It is considered a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with various cancers which include esophageal, as well as lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.
The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.
In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused serious health issues from the former rail yard.
They are seeking damages from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that affected their families as well as them.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, water soil or in sediment for a lengthy period. Cancer Lawsuit can come from many sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.
The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed is through water and food. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbable by the body via the intake of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.
It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can affect your health, based on numerous factors like how much you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits and other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.
Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.
For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also damage the immune system of a person, and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.
For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer-related deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. Railroad Workers reported on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. They were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and hinder learning.
PCBs can contaminate soil and water as well as air in many regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.
In the end, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.
Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.
PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be the result of leaks or spills that occur in electrical or other equipment.
Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that last for weeks to years.
The effects of PCBs upon human health are not fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, but further research is needed to find out how this affects us.
EPA is also studying whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and 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 and is present in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a potent chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your environment. This could cause it to build up within the body and cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to clean up the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents believe.
The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most severe consequences of the contamination. Cancer Lawsuit conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples around the rail yard is more than the recommended level for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the slow release of creosote in the air. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can cause fatalities for children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.
This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and should be taken care of immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found 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 common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.