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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, residents of 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. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination could be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers suggest it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years into a health study conducted by the state they discovered 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 is a chemical commonly employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance that's black or amber in color and has a smoky smell and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

Cancer Lawsuit United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote could be a dangerous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a major concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA It is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to various cancers such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, 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 frequently for contamination and take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

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

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering, as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim to have suffered the effects of environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other forms of pollution that affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for a long period of. They can be found in a variety of locations, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not clear at low levels, but there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. The people who are exposed to higher levels have been found to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system disorders and endocrine imbalances including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, weakened immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of dairy products, fish or other seafood.

It is important to remember that exposure to dioxins can have a detrimental effect on your health, based on numerous factors such as how much you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant is also important. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a rash of cancer deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their communities. The announcement made by the city's health department said that it found cancer-causing chemicals on 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 plans to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal presented to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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

PCBs can cause contamination of soil and water as well as air in a variety of regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

Therefore, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.


Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

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

Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills in electrical and other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that last for weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are not completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand what this means for us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children who were 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 that is found in many items like paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a strong chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your surroundings. It can accumulate within the body and could cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other ailments.

In Houston, people who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's 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, like creosote. Residents claim that the company has been working to clean up contamination but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples around the rail yard is higher than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another major concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. As it does, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among those who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the area to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and needs to be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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