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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 an underground plume of creosote at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have shown that the contamination may be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it is due to the high number of cancers in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a typical one. It can cause cancer in people exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance that's black or amber-colored and has a smoky odor and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal 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 and other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote could be a hazardous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is believed to be a human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and take measures to prevent it from spreading.

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 soil beneath their homes and is causing serious health issues.

They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They also claim that they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil, or sediment for a lengthy period. They can be found in a variety places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't yet known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. People exposed to higher levels have been found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine imbalances including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to problems with hormones, immune suppression, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed is through water and food. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.

However, it is important to remember that the level of exposure that can have negative effects on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant can be an important factor. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to 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 problems with the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer-related deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their communities. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern for the protection of the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.

In addition, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.

The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are not completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but more studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and can be found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean its toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has tried to get rid of the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most serious consequences of the contamination. railroad ties creosote cancer by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be harmful for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who breathe them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors in the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done 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 recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five-fold greater rate than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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