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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 plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could continue to affect those who live nearby.

Researchers say it may be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a heavy oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

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 guard log structures and homes against the effects of rot and insect invasion.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is an extremely dangerous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin 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 tumors. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

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

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and to take measures to prevent it from spreading.

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

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 also claim that they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that has adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, in the soil, or sediment for long periods. They are found in a variety of places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't known yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine disorders, including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal problems, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

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

However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that will have a harmful effect on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and how much you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other health factors that can influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant can be an important aspect. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is close to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said 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 proposed by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can be harmful to soil, water, and air in a variety of regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are often persistent which means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are regarded as a possible 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 especially true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can result from spills or leaks that may occur in electrical and other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or skin contact. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but more studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases 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 and can be found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. The body absorbs it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. It can build up within the body and could lead to serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals for humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the company has been trying to clean up contamination but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.


One of the major issues that resulted due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. Railroad Cancer Settlements conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples in the rail yard is more than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote into the atmosphere. It can cause residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to the residents who are breathing the vapors in. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors impact the lives of residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.

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