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 that is contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination is still in the vicinity of residents.
Researchers suggest it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a chemical commonly employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance which is black or amber in color and has a smoky odor and burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used for protecting log houses and other structures from rot and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a hazardous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach pains, burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum cancers. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with various cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time due to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes and soil, and it 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 demand that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop the spread.
In October of 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health issues.
They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other types of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, in the soil or in sediment for long periods. They are found in a variety of places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't well-studied however, there is evidence to suggest that they could cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, weakened immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.
But it is important to remember that the level of exposure that could have a harmful effect on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and the amount of air you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other health factors that can influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.
Additionally, the type of contaminant is another important factor. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others for human health. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit can harm the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.
For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release said the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal 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 consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. They were banned in 1979, after they were found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system and inhibit learning.
After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water across the world. They are powerful binders of organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major concern to protect the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.
Furthermore certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Railroad Cancer are the primary source of exposure because they are the source of the most PCBs. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical or other equipment.
People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. 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.
However Railroad Cancer Lawyer of PCBs on human health are not yet completely known. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.
The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children 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 toxic metal that is found in many products, such as pipes, paints and food containers. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.
It is an extremely antioxidant that can react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can accumulate in the body, which could cause serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote facility have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.
Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples in the rail yard is much higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.
Another major concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could be fatal for children as well as adults.
It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the people who breathe the vapors in. To learn more about the effect of the vapors on the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be dealt with immediately.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia that was five times more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.