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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. And now, the latest tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be due to the high number of cancers in the region. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a dense, oily substance that is black or amber in appearance and has a smokey odor and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

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 homes and other structures against decay and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation to the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach pain and burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

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

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

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific Cancer Cluster Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test frequently for contamination and take measures 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 was a source of contamination in their soil and caused major health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering, as well as damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to 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 chemical compounds that do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can be found in the air, water, soil or sediment for a lengthy duration. They are found in many places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't identified yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine disorders, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.

However, it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that has adverse effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how much air you breathe. You should also consider your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant is also crucial. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancers that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release said 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 proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system and inhibit learning.

Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They are powerful binders of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

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

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.

PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure, since they contain the most PCBs. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by leaks or spills in electrical or other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not completely known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to determine how this affects us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies found that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it via two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate within the body, which can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

In Houston residents living near a creosote legacy treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in cleaning up the Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit's contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among 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 the recommended amount for Union Pacific Houston Cancer drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which could be fatal for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who breathe them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to discover more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.

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

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at five times higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.