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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. And now, the latest tests show that the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.

Union Pacific Cancer Cluster say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical used to treat wood. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

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

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It can also be used to protect log houses and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be an extremely dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA the EPA, it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a range of cancers of various types including esophageal and lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a railroad yard close to their homes. They claim the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused major health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering as well as damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim they've suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that don't break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, soil or sediment for long periods. They can be found in a variety of locations, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not well-studied however, there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues and hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.

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

But it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has negative effects on your health is dependent on many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and how much air you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the form of contaminant can be an important factor. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others for the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (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 affect a person's immune system and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.

For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their communities. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." Union Pacific Cancer told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.

PCBs can contaminate soil and water as well as air in many areas around the globe after they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time which means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern to protect the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Additionally certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed these chemicals while pregnant.

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

Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spills from electrical and other equipment.

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

The effects of PCBs on human health are not completely known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to better understand how this impacts us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, like less weight at birth. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in many products, such as pipes, paints, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body via two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your environment. It can accumulate in the body, and could cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to cleanse its toxic site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, including creosote. The company has been working to remove the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents say.

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.


Another concern is the slow evaporation of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to inhale dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who breathe them. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors are impacting the residents' lives.

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

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.

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