Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit 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 shown that the contamination could be in the vicinity of residents.
Researchers believe it's due to the high incidence of cancers in the area. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state Researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.
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 can also be used to protect log structures and homes against insects and rot.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote can be a hazardous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
According to the EPA It is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers which include esophageal, as well as lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a railroad yard near their homes. They claim the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread throughout the underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test regularly for contamination , and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing serious health issues.
They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds that aren't able to break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, in the soil or in sediment for a long period. They can come from diverse sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.
The effects of dioxin on health are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. People exposed to higher levels are believed to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system disorders and endocrine changes including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger problems with hormones, immune suppression, 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 and water-soluble so they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.
It is important to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can affect your health, depending on many aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and the frequency you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other factors in your health that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.
In addition, the form of contaminant is an important aspect. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They also can harm the immune system of a person, and interfere with the growth of healthy bones and teeth.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it has found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release stated that the results weren't encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for over 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.
After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.
PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.
Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals during the womb.
PCBs are most often ingested through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef and other agricultural products.
Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.
Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for months or even years.
The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but more studies are needed to determine how this affects us.
EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, including lower birth weight. Railroad Cancer has been linked to insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in the course of. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or later in life.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal and is found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes and food containers. The body can absorb it through two main routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a powerful oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can lead to it accumulating in the body , and could lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to clean its contaminated 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 could cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to clean up contamination but the plan submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
One of the biggest problems that stemmed from the contamination was the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples in the rail yard is much higher than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the slow release of creosote from the atmosphere. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are dangerous for children and adults.
It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to those who breathe the vapors. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and needs to be dealt with immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.