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 remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that contamination is still impacting residents living near.
Researchers believe it is due to the high number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a common chemical used to treat wood. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.
Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.
It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It is also used to protect log structures and homes from rot and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is an extremely hazardous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation to the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.
Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.
According to the EPA the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years, thanks to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and continues to spread 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 major health problems as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they have suffered the effects of environmental racism, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, water soil, or sediment for long periods. They can be found in a variety of places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't well-studied but there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.
However, it is crucial to be aware that the amount of exposure that has negative effects on your health depends on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and the amount of air you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.
The kind of contaminant is crucial. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on human health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.
Railroad Workers can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.
For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their communities. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department said that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being found to cause cancer and weaken the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They bind tightly to organic matter, and are often persistent that means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.
Therefore, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.
Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed these chemicals while pregnant.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.
Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is affected by PCBs. Cancer Lawsuit could be due to leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.
People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.
The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't completely understood. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to determine how this affects us.
The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns 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 toxic metal that can be found in a variety of items including paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.
It is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can lead to it accumulating within the body and cause serious health issues 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 requested the federal government to direct the railroad to clean up its contaminated facility.
Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been trying to get rid of the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.
The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most severe effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department has revealed that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples from the rail yard is higher than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could cause death for children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives.
This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that must be dealt with immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.