Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn’t done enough to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live nearby.
Researchers believe it is due to the high incidence of cancers found in the region. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a chemical commonly used to treat wood, is also a common one. It is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. Railroad Cancer is a coal tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a 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 for protecting log homes and other structures against rot and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote may be a dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns stomach discomfort burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.
According to the EPA the EPA, it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number of different cancer types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil, and 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 for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop the spread.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused major health issues as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, water soil or in sediment for long periods. They can be derived from many sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts called chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.
It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins can have a detrimental effect on your health based on a variety of 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, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.
The type of contaminant crucial. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others to human health. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They also can harm the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release stated that the results were not a good sign. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. PCBs were banned in 1979, after being proven to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and interfere with learning.
When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They are powerful binders of organic matter that can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.
Therefore, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.
Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.
PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.
Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can happen from leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.
People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. Railroad Cancer Lawyer is a mild pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for several weeks to several years.
The effects of PCBs on human health are still not completely understood. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, however more research is needed to find out the extent to which this impacts us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 including paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two major pathways: the respiratory and oral.
It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body and lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other ailments.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to remove the site that is contaminated.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been trying to clean up the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.
One of the biggest problems that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the health department has revealed that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples around the rail yard is greater than the levels recommended for drinking water.
Another concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be harmful to children as well as adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer for those who breathe them. 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 issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.
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 type of leukemia at a five-fold more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.