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 remove the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have shown that the contamination may be an issue for residents living nearby.
Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote which is a common chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a popular one. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.
It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It is also used for protecting log houses and other structures from rot and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote could be an extremely hazardous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.
According to the EPA It is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of cancers of various types, including esophageal and lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.
In October of 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused serious health issues as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering, as well as damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim that they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.
Dioxin
Dioxins are a class of chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for a lengthy period of time. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements can be derived from diverse sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't well-studied but there is evidence that they could cause serious diseases like cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine changes including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most common way people are exposed is through food and water. They are not water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.
It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health, depending on many factors like how much you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
The type of contaminant also important. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to cause harm to your health.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also affect a person's immune system and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit is located next to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said that the findings were not encouraging. 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
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and interfere with learning.
After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They bind strongly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time that means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.
PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.
Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.
PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure since they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be the result of leaks or spills in electrical or other equipment.
People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is a tiny, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for weeks to years.
However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, however more studies are needed to understand what this means for us.
EPA is also studying whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases 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 can be found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a potent chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your surroundings. It is able to accumulate within the body and can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.
In Houston the residents who live close to a creosote-based treatment facility run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in cleaning up the railroad's toxic site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.
Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It causes residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which can be fatal for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. A door-to door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to find out more about how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed 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 neighborhoods than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.