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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t done enough to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination may be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health the researchers discovered that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical used to treat wood is also a popular one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used 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 kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes from rot and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. This is a serious issue for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with several cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and to take steps to prevent it from spreading.

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

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and also damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim they have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, soil, or sediment for a long time. They can come from many 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 well-studied, there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine disorders, like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, therefore they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that can have negative effects on your health will depend on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how much you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other health factors that may affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant is also crucial. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others for the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

Cancer Lawsuits can cause damage to eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also damage a person's immune system and interfere with the growth of healthy teeth and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster cancer deaths caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release stated that the findings 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 will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and weaken the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

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

PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to PCBs in the womb.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure since they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This can result from leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not fully known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to better understand how this affects us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. 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 present in a variety of products including paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate within the body, which can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to remove its contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. The company has been trying to clean up the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.

One of the biggest problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote in soil samples from the rail yard is higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which can be fatal for both children as well as adults.

It is also possible that gases are causing cancers in the residents who breathe the vapors in. To learn more about the impact of the vapors on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.


This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly 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 living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.

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