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 the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could continue to affect people who live near.
Researchers believe that it could be due to the high rate of cancers in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical, is used to treat wood. It is also a cause of cancer in people exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to guard log structures and homes from rot and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote may be a hazardous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause eye and skin irritation and chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues.
Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a major concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
Railroad Cancer is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to a range of cancers of various types, including esophageal and lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They say the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.
The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and take measures to stop it from spreading.
In October 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing serious health problems.
They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and also damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances that don't break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, in the soil or sediment for a long period. They can be found in a variety of sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't identified yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin are found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system disorders and endocrine imbalances like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues and hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts called chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed is through water and food. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.
It is nevertheless important to remember that the level of exposure that will have detrimental effects on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how much air you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.
In addition, the form of contaminant is an important factor. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others for human health. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.
For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They also can harm the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department claimed that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release stated that the results weren't encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. These chemicals were banned in 1979, after being proven to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system and inhibit learning.
Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter and can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.
Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Fish is the primary source of exposure since they are the source of the most PCBs. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. Railroad Cancer can happen from leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.
People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is a mild, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for months or even years.
However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet completely understood. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, however more research is needed to find out how this impacts us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or an earlier age.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal and is found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it through two routes: respiratory and oral.
It is a strong oxidizing chemical and can react with other substances in your environment. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit can build up in the body, which can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other diseases.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in cleaning up the railroad's toxic site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of 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 level recommended for drinking water.
Another reason to be concerned is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.
It is also possible that gases are causing cancers in the residents who breathe the vapors in. To learn more about the effect of the vapors on lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and must be taken care of immediately.
A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five times higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.