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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. And now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high rate of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state, they found higher-than-expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.


Creosote

Creosote which is a common chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a typical one. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It is also used to protect log houses and other structures from the effects of rot and insect invasion.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be an extremely dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat, kidney or liver problems and even permanent damage.

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

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to many types of cancer such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.

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

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused serious health problems from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and also compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other kinds of pollution that have impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, in the soil or in sediment for a long period. They can be found in a variety of sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. The people who are exposed to higher levels are believed to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive issues, a weak immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues, weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

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

It is nevertheless important to remember that the amount of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health depends on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the type of contaminant can be an important aspect. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on the human body than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also damage 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 cluster of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their neighborhoods. The announcement made 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 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 plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for over 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and hinder learning.

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

PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them to be a possible carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

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

PCBs are most often ingested through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last from several weeks to several years.

The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't fully known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to determine how this affects us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease 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 toxic metal and is found in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a potent oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can accumulate in the body, which can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to clean up its contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to clean up contamination but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

Union Pacific Cancer Cluster of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is among the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has shown that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples near the rail yard is higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another concern is the slow release of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful to children as well as adults.

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

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.

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

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