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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume of creosote at its contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could still be affecting people who live near.

Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a heavy, oily substance that is amber or black in color and has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used for protecting log structures and homes from the effects of rot and insect invasion.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote may be a risky chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA, it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes, and continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and take steps to stop the spread of the disease.

In October of 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing serious health issues.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim they have suffered the effects of environmental racism, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds which do not break down quickly in the environment, and can remain in the air, water, soil or in sediment for a long period of time. They can be found in diverse sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't 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 disorders, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.

However, it is important to remember that the level of exposure that could have negative effects on your health is dependent on several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how often you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant crucial. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others for human health. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote 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 the person and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer-related deaths which has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After being shown to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.

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

This is why PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Furthermore, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals during the womb.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical and other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that may last for railroad cancer weeks to years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to discover how this affects us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and is found in many products, such as pipes, paints, and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two major pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can build up in the body, and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad Cancer (https://sites.google.com)'s creosote legacy plant are at a high risk 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 been trying to get rid of the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous effects of the contamination. A recent study by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples around the rail yard is higher than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be dangerous for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who breathe them. To find out more about the effect of the vapors in the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed immediately.

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