Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show the contamination could still be affecting people who live near.
Researchers believe it is due to the high number of cancers in the region. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.
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 protect log structures and homes against insects and rot.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.
Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a serious concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to various cancers, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop it from spreading.
In October 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused major health problems from the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and also damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim they've been affected by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other forms of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals which aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, water soil or in sediment for a long time. They are found in a variety places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't yet known, there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine disorders, including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.
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 are not liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.
But it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that will have a harmful effect on your health is contingent upon several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
Railroad Cancer Lawyer of contaminant is also crucial. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others for human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.
For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer deaths that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release noted that the findings were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't sufficient in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These substances were banned in 1979 after they were found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and hinder learning.
When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter and tend to be persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and build up in the environment.
PCBs are a major concern for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can 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 have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can happen from spills or leaks that may occur in electrical and other equipment.
People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.
However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, however more research is needed to find out how this affects us.
EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in the course of. Two studies found that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or a later age.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal and is present in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a strong chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.
Cancer Lawsuit Settlements has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to remove the contamination but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
One of the most important problems that stemmed from the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.
Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful for children as well as adults.
It is also possible that the vapors are causing cancers in those who breathe them in. A door-to-door health assessment is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors affect the lives of the residents.
This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.