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. The latest tests show that the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates 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 the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote could be a risky chemical. The exposure to creosote over brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test frequently for contamination and take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

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 claim they have been affected by environmental racism, discrimination, and other kinds 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 remain in the air, water, or sediment for an extended period of. They are found in a variety of locations such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not yet known, there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system disorders and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins could be detrimental to your health, based on numerous aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to consider your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that may determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is also crucial. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also affect the immune system of a person, and affect the development of healthy teeth and bones.

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer-related deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific Houston Cancer Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department claimed that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. After being proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are generally persistent which means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

Therefore, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children exposed to these chemicals during the womb.

PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can result from leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and Union Pacific Houston Cancer biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this impacts us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong antioxidant and can react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can build up in the body, and could lead to serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in cleaning up the Railroad Workers's contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. The company has been working to remove the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents say.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples in the rail yard is much higher than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another concern 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 dangerous for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer among those who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors impact the lives of residents.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a pity and Union Pacific Houston Cancer needs to be dealt with immediately.

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