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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For Railroad Workers And Cancer , residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination could still be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical employed in the treatment of 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 coal tar distillation product that has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to guard log structures and homes against insects and rot.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a hazardous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns stomach pain and burning in the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to a number of cancers of various types such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time due to a former rail yard near their homes. The chemical is said to have contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.

In October of 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing serious health problems.

They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that don't break down quickly in the environment and they can stay in the air, water, soil or sediment for a lengthy duration. They can come from a variety of sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, but there is evidence that they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, weakened immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Railroad Workers Cancer (USEPA) the most popular way people are exposed is through water and food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, which means they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.

But it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that will have a harmful effect on your health is contingent upon several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and the amount of air you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the form of contaminant is another important aspect. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.

For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also affect the immune system of the person and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer-related deaths which has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. The city's health department announced Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release said the findings were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for over 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They are powerful binders of organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to PCBs in the womb.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another method of being exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This can result from leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that may last for weeks or even years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are not fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.


EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 can be found in many items like paints pipes and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two main routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It is able to accumulate within the body, which can cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean its 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 could cause cancer. Residents claim that the railroad has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard contain more creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow escape of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to inhale harmful levels of vapors which could be fatal for children and adults.

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in those who breathe the vapors in. To learn more about the impact of the vapors on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

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