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 rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests show the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.
Researchers believe that it could be due to the high rate of cancers in the region. Two years into a health study conducted by the state, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a popular chemical used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance that's black or amber in color and has a smoky odor and burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.
It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to protect log structures and homes against the effects of rot and insect invasion.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote may be an extremely hazardous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns stomach pains, burning in the throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a serious concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
It is considered a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of different cancer types, including esophageal and lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They say the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread underground.
The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take measures to stop it from spreading.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and causing serious health issues.
They are seeking compensation from the railroad in order to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment discrimination, sexism, and other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals which aren't able to break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, the soil of the water or sediment for a long time. They are found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Patients who are exposed at higher levels have been found to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine imbalances, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to problems with hormones, immune suppression as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, which means they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.
It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could cause harm to your health, depending on many factors like how much you drink, eat, and how often you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.
In addition, the type of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy teeth, bones and bones.
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 located close to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department stated that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being found to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.
PCBs can be harmful to soil or water as well as air in many areas of the world once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are generally persistent and therefore, are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.
Therefore, PCBs are a major concern for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary 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 be caused by leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.
People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions which can last for weeks or even years.
However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely recognized. 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.
EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, such as low birth weight. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children who were 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 highly toxic metal that can be found in many items, such as paints, pipes, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two major pathways: oral and respiratory.
It is a potent antioxidant that can react with other chemicals present in the environment. This could cause it to build up within the body and cause serious health issues like cancer, among other ailments.
In Houston residents living close to a creosote-based treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean its contaminated site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been working to remove the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents claim.
The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. Railroad Cancer conducted by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote in soil samples in the rail yard is more than the recommended level for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote in the air. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which can cause fatalities for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. To learn more about the effects of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.
A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.