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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 remove the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination may be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it could be due to the high number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that's black or amber-colored and has a smoky scent and burnt taste. Cancer Lawsuit is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It can also be used for protecting 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 potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns stomach pain and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a major concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with several cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a former railroad yard right next to their homes. They claim that 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. Railroad Workers are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.


In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing significant health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that do not break down quickly in the environment, and can remain in the soil, air, or sediment for an extended period of. They can be found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, however there is evidence to suggest that they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

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

However, it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that can have detrimental effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat, and the amount of air you breathe. You should also consider your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant is also crucial. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release stated that 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 plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After they were proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system PCBs 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 tightly to organic matter, and tend to be persistent which means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern to protect the environment and public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Railroad Workers is the main source of exposure, since they are the largest source of PCBs. 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 is infected with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills that could occur in electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. This is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for months or even years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and is present in many products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate in the body, and could lead to serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston the residents who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the biggest problems that stemmed from the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples from the rail yard is higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is the slow escape of creosote in the air. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful to children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who breathe them. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the area to discover more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.

This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and must be taken care of immediately.

A recent study conducted 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 prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

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