Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. And now, the latest tests show that the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.
Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a common chemical used to treat wood. It can also cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance which is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky odor and a burnt flavor. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.
It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It can also be employed to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote may be a risky chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
According to the EPA it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to many types of cancer, including esophageal as well lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to an old rail yard located near 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 would like the company to test regularly for contamination , and take steps to prevent it from spreading.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused serious health problems from the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down quickly in the environment and they can stay in the soil, air, water or sediment for an extended period of time. They can be derived from a variety of sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't known, there is evidence that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed is through water and food. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.
It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins can be detrimental to your health depending on many aspects, such as the amount you eat, drink, and the frequency you breathe. You should also consider your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.
In addition, the form of contaminant is an important aspect. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote affect your health.
For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also harm a person's immune system and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is close to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department revealed that they had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate given the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and impair learning.
PCBs can cause contamination of soil or water as well as air in many parts of the world after they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.
Furthermore, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.
The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Another method of being exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.
People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for weeks or even years.
However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to determine how this impacts us.
EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, like less weight at birth. A low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. 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 can be found in many products like paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a powerful chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. It can build up within the body, which can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to cleanse its contaminated facility.
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 get rid of the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.
One of the most significant problems that stemmed from the contamination was the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples around the rail yard is greater than the levels recommended for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the slow release of creosote in the air. It can cause residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which can be fatal for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who breathe them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors on lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.
This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit is a very sad situation that must be addressed immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.