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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 taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination could be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high incidence of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.


It is a thick oily substance which is black or amber in color and has a smoky smell and a burnt flavor. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.

It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It is also used to protect log houses and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a hazardous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and chemical burns stomach discomfort burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum tumors. This is a serious concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA It is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and causing significant health problems.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They also claim that they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that has impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that don't break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, water soil or in sediment for a lengthy period. They can be found in many places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not clear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine disorders, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to remember that the level of exposure that has a harmful effect on your health is contingent upon several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, how often you eat or drink and how often you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your age, gender and nutrition status, as well as diet and family traits and other factors in your health that could affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant equally important. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.

For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They also can harm the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the surface near the rail yard. The announcement 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 proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After they were proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

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

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

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

The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure because they are the source of the most 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 has been polluted with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that may last for months or even years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to determine how this impacts us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals cause birth defects for newborns, including low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or older.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products like paints pipes, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can build up in the body, which can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated site.

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

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

Another major concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. Railroad Workers Cancer can cause residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which can be fatal for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who breathe them. A door-to-door health assessment is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors impact the lives of residents.

This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and should be resolved immediately.

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

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