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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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. Now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical used for the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that 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 and other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log houses and other structures from insects and rot.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says creosote is a dangerous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with many types of cancer such as esophageal cancer as well 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. The chemical is said to have affected their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

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

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim they've suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other types of pollution that has affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that don't break down quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the soil, air, or sediment for an extended period of time. They can be found in a variety of places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. 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 lead to hormonal issues, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent 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 in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that will have detrimental effects on your health will depend on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how much air you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant is also important. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others for human health. 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 kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also damage a person's immune system and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.

For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer deaths that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release said 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 proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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

PCBs can contaminate soil or water as well as air in many regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and tend to be persistent that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

Therefore, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Furthermore certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals during the womb.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can result from spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully known. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. 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 that is found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food containers. The body absorbs it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is a strong antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can accumulate in the body, which can cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote facility have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to clean up its contaminated facility.

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

One of the most significant problems that resulted due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow release of creosote from the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who breathe them. To find out more about the impact of the vapors on lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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