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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination could be an issue for residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it could be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years into a health study conducted by the state, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.

It is a thick, oily substance that is amber or black in color and has a smoky scent and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used for protecting log homes and other structures against the effects of rot and insect invasion.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a hazardous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a significant concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to many types of cancer that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote because of a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and is spreading underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination , and take steps to prevent it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil, causing significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they've been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin


Dioxins are substances that don't break down quickly in the environment and they can stay in the soil, air, water or sediment for an extended period of time. They can be derived from various sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious illnesses like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily taken in by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.

It is important to remember that exposure to dioxins can affect your health depending on many factors like how much you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other health factors that may affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the type of contaminant is also an important aspect. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others to the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.

For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department claimed that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surface samples near the rail yard. The release stated that the results were not a good sign. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. They were banned in 1979, after being found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and interfere with learning.

PCBs can infect soil as well as water and air in a variety of regions around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

PCBs are a major problem to protect the environment and public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.

Furthermore certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.

The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This can result from spills or leaks that may 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 the condition known as chloracne which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, however more studies are needed to discover what this means for us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, such as lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. 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 poisonous metal and is found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This could cause it to build up 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 creosote facility are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to clean its contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the railroad has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most severe consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another concern is the slow evaporation of creosote to the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could cause death for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives.

This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and needs to be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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