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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. The latest tests have shown that the contamination could be impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers 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 cancer in children and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in people exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance which is black or amber in appearance and has a smokey odor and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and 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 potentially dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

According to the EPA it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety kinds of cancers including esophageal and lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. The chemical is said to have contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.

In October 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing significant health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that don't break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, water soil or sediment for a long time. They can be found in many places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not identified yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can trigger serious illnesses like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal problems, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to remember that the amount of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health is dependent on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you eat or drink and the amount of air you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other health factors that may determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is another important aspect. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on the human body than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also harm the immune system of the person and affect the development of healthy 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 right next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it has found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient in light of the findings.





Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can infect soil and water as well as air in a variety of regions around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter and are often persistent which means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major problem for the protection of the environment and public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals during the womb.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical or other equipment.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are not fully known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to understand how this impacts us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. Low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in the course of. In two studies, children 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 a wide range of products, including paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: respiratory and oral.

It is an extremely antioxidant that can react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can build up in the body, which could cause serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to remove the site that is contaminated.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, such as creosote. The company has tried to clean up the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.

One of the most significant problems that stemmed from the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain more creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It can cause residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death for both children and adults.

It is also possible that the vapors are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing them in. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors affect the lives of the residents.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and needs to be taken care of immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.