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 the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be an issue for residents living nearby.
Researchers believe that it could be due to the high incidence of cancers found in the region. Two years into a state health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical used in the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It can also cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance which is amber or black in color and has a smoky scent and a burnt flavor. 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 to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote may be a hazardous 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 issues.
Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
It is considered a probable human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked with many types of cancer that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They say the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.
The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and is causing serious health issues.
They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They also claim to be victimized by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other types of pollution that have affected them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances that don't break down in environment quickly . They can be left in the air, in the soil or sediment for a lengthy period. They can be found in a variety of sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.
The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that they can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.
It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure to dioxins can have a detrimental effect on your health, based on numerous factors such as how much you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
Additionally, the type of contaminant is an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on human health than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.
For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a rash of cancer deaths that have been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their neighborhoods. The city's health department announced Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release noted that the findings 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 submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and impair learning.
PCBs can cause contamination of soil as well as water and air in a variety of regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter and can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.
This is why PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.
Furthermore certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to PCBs in the womb.
PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure, since they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Another way to be exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical or other equipment.
Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.
The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not completely known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, however more studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.
The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 containers. The body can absorb it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a potent chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your surroundings. Csx Lawsuit Settlements can lead to its accumulation in the body and can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who reside 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 for an order to the railroad to cleanse its toxic site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to remove the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents say.
One of the major issues that resulted from the contamination was the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than what is required for drinking water.
Another concern is the gradual release of creosote into the atmosphere. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.
It is also possible that the gases are causing cancers in the residents who breathe the vapors in. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the area to find out more about how the vapors affect the lives of residents.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and should be dealt with immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.