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 the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show the contamination could continue to affect those who live near.
Researchers believe it is due to the high number of cancers found in the region. Two years after the launch of an investigation into health issues across the state Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic 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 poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber-colored and has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.
It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods like fence posts, utility poles, as well as marine pilings. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. Exposure to creosote for brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum tumors. This is a significant concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with 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 right next to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and to take measures to prevent it from spreading.
In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they've been harmed by racism in the environment discrimination, sexism, and other forms of pollution that affected their families and themselves.
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 can be found in many places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not identified, there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues as well as weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts called chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.
However, it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that could have a harmful effect on your health is dependent on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and the amount of air you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family traits in addition to other factors in your health that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.
Additionally, the type of contaminant can be an important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are more likely than creosote cause harm to your health.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also damage a person's immune system and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.
For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The city's health department reported on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. They were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system and inhibit learning.
PCBs can cause contamination of soil, water, and air in many regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are generally persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.
PCBs are a significant concern to protect the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
In addition certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.
The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.
Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.
Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored 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 the biliary tract cancers among humans, however more studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. 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 is present in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.
Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts is an extremely chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your environment. Railroad Workers can lead to its accumulation within the body and cause serious health issues like cancer, among other diseases.
In Houston the residents who live close to a creosote-based treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to remove the site that is contaminated.
Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to get rid of the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.
One of the most significant problems that stemmed from the contamination was the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.
Another issue is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be toxic for both children and adults.
It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the people who breathe them in. To learn Cancer Lawsuit about the impact of the vapors on the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.