Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn’t done enough to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.
Researchers suggest it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in people who are exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also employed to protect log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be a risky chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation to the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns stomach pain, burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.
Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a significant concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
It is believed to be a human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked with many types of cancer that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.
Railroad Workers of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.
The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop the spread.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They also claim to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and can remain in the air, water, or sediment for a lengthy period of time. They can be derived from various sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.
It is important to remember, however, that exposure can cause harm to your health, depending on many factors such as how much you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other health factors that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.
Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is another important aspect. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancers that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After they were proven to cause cancer and suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They bind tightly to organic matter and are generally persistent and therefore, are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.
Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.
The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.
Another way to be exposed PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.
Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.
The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to better understand how this impacts us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 that is found in many products, such as pipes, paints and food cans. The body can absorb it via two routes: respiratory and oral.
It is a potent oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, and can lead to serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.
Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's toxic site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
One of the most important issues that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain more creosote than is recommended for drinking water.
Another concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which could be fatal for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who breathe them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a sad state of affairs and needs to be dealt with immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences 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 in other areas of Texas.