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 an underground plume of creosote at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect those who live near.
Cancer Lawsuit believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a chemical commonly used to treat wood. It can cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.
It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote may be an extremely hazardous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety kinds of cancers 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. The chemical is said to have affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against 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 claim that creosote contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems from the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they have been harmed by racism in the environment discrimination, sexism, and other forms of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances which do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can be found in the soil, air, water or in sediment for a long time. They are found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't identified yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes, hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish, and other seafood.
It is nevertheless important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that can have detrimental effects on your health depends on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and the amount of air you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
In addition, the type of contaminant is an important aspect. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system of a person, and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.
Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department said that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not encouraging. Cancer Lawsuits told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These substances were banned in 1979 following being found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and impair learning.
PCBs can contaminate soil and water as well as air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter that can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major issue 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 link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.
The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the primary source of exposure, as 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 to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This can result from spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.
People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a tiny, pale skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.
The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but more studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.
EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, including less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns is associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or older.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal and can be found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed into the body via two main routes: respiratory and oral.
It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.
Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to clean up contamination but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most severe consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples in the rail yard is more than the recommended level for drinking water.
Another issue is the slow evaporation of creosote to the atmosphere. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are toxic for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors impact the lives of residents.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that must be dealt with immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.