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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. And now, the latest tests show that the contamination could continue to affect those who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and 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 common one. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer in those 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 distillation of coal product and has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, including fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes against rot and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. Short-term exposure can cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pain burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum cancers. Workers who come into 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 with a variety of cancers of various types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote because of a former railroad yard close to their homes. They say the chemical has contaminated 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 demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused serious health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not break down quickly in the environment, and can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended time. They can be derived from diverse sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, however there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. People who are exposed to higher levels have been found to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine disorders including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes and weight loss, hair growth and Union Pacific Houston Cancer facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat, Union Pacific Houston Cancer fish, and other seafood.

But it is important to remember that the level of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health is dependent on many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much air you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant can be an important factor. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of a person, and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancers that have been caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department claimed that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the rail yard. The announcement said that the results weren't encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal presented to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. They were banned in 1979, after being found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system and inhibit learning.

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

Therefore, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.

The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure since they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for months or even years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are not fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease 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 a later age.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful chemical that can oxidize and react with other substances in your environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, which could cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

In Houston, people who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to cleanse its contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements has been trying to clean up the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.

One of the major problems that resulted from the contamination was the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples around the rail yard is much higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote from the atmosphere. As it does, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are toxic for both children and adults.

It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to the people who breathe the vapors in. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to find out more about how the vapors are impacting the residents' lives.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be addressed immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.