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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 contaminated rail yard. The latest tests show the contamination could still be affecting people who live near.

Researchers believe it is due to the high rate of cancers in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly used to treat wood. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance which is black or amber-colored and has a smoky smell and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for over 150 years as a 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. railroad cancer settlements can also be used for protecting log houses and other structures from insects and rot.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says creosote is a risky chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns stomach pain burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

According to the EPA It is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with several cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take steps to stop it from spreading.

In October 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused significant health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other types of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil or sediment for long periods. They can be derived from a variety of sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.


The effects of dioxin on health are unclear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine disorders, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues and hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not volatile and water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

But it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that can have detrimental effects on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how often you breathe. You should also consider your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the type of contaminant is an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of a person and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their neighborhoods. The announcement made by the city's health department said that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The announcement 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)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. These chemicals were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system and inhibit learning.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They bind tightly to organic matter, and are often persistent which means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

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

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through the skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from a few weeks to a few years.

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely understood. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand what this means for us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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 poisonous metal and is present in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can lead to it accumulating within the body and cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

In Houston residents living near a creosote legacy treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government to direct the railroad to cleanse its contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been trying to get rid of the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples from the rail yard is higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.

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

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the people who breathe the vapors in. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the neighborhood to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives.

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

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five-fold greater rate 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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