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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, Union Pacific Houston Cancer residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. And now, the latest tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect people who live nearby.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high number of cancers in the region. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used in the treatment of wood. It is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is employed in the United States to treat Railroad Workers ties, and other types woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes against rot and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of different cancer types, including esophageal and lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote because of a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test frequently for contamination and take measures to stop it from spreading.

In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and causing serious health issues.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering, as well as damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They also claim that they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, water soil or sediment for a lengthy period. They can come from diverse sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not identified, there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues as well as weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that could have a harmful effect on your health is contingent upon numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you eat or drink and the amount of air you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your age, gender and nutrition status, as well as diet and family traits and other health factors that can influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is also crucial. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others for human health. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to cause harm to your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancers that have been that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it has found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After being proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil as well as water and air in many parts of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

This is why PCBs are a major concern for the protection of public health and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spillages in electrical or other equipment.

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

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to understand how this affects us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 highly toxic metal that is found in many items like paints pipes and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a potent oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals present in the environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, and can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, like creosote. The Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements has been trying to get rid of the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.

One of the most significant problems that stemmed from the contamination was the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples around the rail yard is greater than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful for children as well as 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 neighborhood to understand the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Union Pacific Houston Cancer Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that must be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.