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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. The latest tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers believe it is due to the large number of cancers in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote which is a common chemical used to treat wood is also a typical one. It can cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

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

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote could be a hazardous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to several cancers that include esophageal aswell 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 affected their homes, soil and is spreading underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and to take measures to stop the spread of the disease.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering, as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim that they have been suffering from environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil or sediment for a long time. They are found in a variety of places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, suppressed immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

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

However, it is crucial to remember that the level of exposure that could have negative effects on your health is dependent on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and the amount of air you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other health factors that can affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is also important. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others for the health of humans. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative 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 of a person and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release said that the findings 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 presented to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. PCBs were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and hinder learning.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil or water as well as air in many regions 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, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

In the end, PCBs are a major concern for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals during the womb.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure because they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical and other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for weeks or even years.

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully known. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but further studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. A low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in the course of. Two studies found that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in many items like paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it via two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can lead to its accumulation in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to cleanse its contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.

Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another concern is the slow evaporation of creosote to the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for both children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors affect the residents' lives.

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 found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher for 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 the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/railroadcancersettlements