Union Pacific Houston Cancer – Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston’s Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination could still be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers believe it is due to the high number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health, researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

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

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It is also employed to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

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

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

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

Houston’s Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread throughout the underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination , and take steps to stop it from spreading.

In October 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused major health problems from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering, as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They also claim to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that have impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that aren’t able to break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a long period. They are found in a variety of places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not known, there is evidence that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.

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

It is nevertheless important to be aware that the amount of exposure that could have negative effects on your health is dependent on many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and how much air you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if you’ll be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant is also 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 and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of a person, and affect the development of healthy teeth and bones.

Houston’s Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. The city’s health department reported on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release said the findings were not encouraging. FOX 26’s Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won’t suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can contaminate soil or water as well as air in many regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter and are generally persistent and therefore, are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

As a result, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children exposed to PCBs in the womb.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure, as they are the source of the most PCBs. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored lesions that may last for weeks or Union Pacific Houston Cancer even years.

The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren’t completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to better understand how this impacts us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, including less weight at birth. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies revealed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in many items like paints pipes and food containers. It can be absorbed by the body through two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other substances in your environment. It can build up within the body, which could cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote legacy treatment facility run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the Railroad Cancer Lawsuit‘s contamination site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been trying to eliminate the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn’t enough residents claim.

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain more creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow escape of creosote to the atmosphere. 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 could cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to learn more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents.

This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and must be dealt with immediately.

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