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 creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests show the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.
Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a chemical commonly used for the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It can also cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.
It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, including fence posts and utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote could be a dangerous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause eye and skin irritation and chemical burns stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.
Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious 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 probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to many types of cancer that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, because of a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination , and take steps to stop it from spreading.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused serious health issues from the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and also damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They claim they have been harmed by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds which do not break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the air, water, or sediment for a lengthy duration. They can come from diverse sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.
The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, but there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts can also trigger hormonal issues, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most common way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish or other seafood.
But it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has detrimental effects on your health will depend on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
The type of contaminant is equally important. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm effect on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancers that have been caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is close to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department stated that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release stated 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 plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. They were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.
PCBs can contaminate soil, water, and air in a variety of regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter and can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.
This is why 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 shown to cause cancer in lab animals.
Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals while pregnant.
The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure because they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This can happen from leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.
Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from weeks to years.
However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully understood. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to determine what this means for us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies found that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or older.
Lead
Lead is a poisonous metal and can be found in many products, such as pipes, paints, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It is able to accumulate within the body, which can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to clean up the site that is contaminated.
Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to remove the contamination but the plan submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
One of the biggest problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain more creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.
Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which can cause fatalities for children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who inhale them. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors affect the lives of residents.
This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very sad situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.
A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five times more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.