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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 revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live nearby.

Researchers say it may be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.


Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance that's black or amber in color and has a smoky odor and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, including fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures against rot and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues.

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

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to a variety kinds of cancers including esophageal and lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote because of a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil, 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 regularly for contamination , and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing significant health issues.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They also claim that they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that have impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for a long period of. They are found in a variety of places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.

It is important to remember that exposure to chemicals can affect your health, based on numerous factors like how much you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant is also crucial. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer-related deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their communities. Friday's announcement by the city's health department stated that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can infect soil as well as water and air in many parts of the world after they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter that can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.

As a result, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

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

PCBs are most often ingested through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can happen from leaks or spills that could occur in electrical and other equipment.

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

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, however more studies are needed to determine what this means for us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, such as low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and is found in many products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your surroundings. It is able to accumulate in the body, which can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to remove the site that is contaminated.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, including creosote. Residents say that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most grave consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples near the rail yard is more than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. Union Pacific Cancer causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could be fatal for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among 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 the residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.

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