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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. The latest tests show the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state they discovered higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a chemical commonly used to treat wood is also a very common one. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky scent and a burnt flavor. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for over 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 to protect log structures and homes against rot and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pains, burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA, it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of cancers of various types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a railroad yard right next to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination , and take measures 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 that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing significant health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that has adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, water soil or sediment for long periods. They can come from various sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't identified, there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of dairy products, meat fish, and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure can affect your health depending on many aspects, such as the amount you consume, drink, and the frequency you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other factors in your health that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the form of contaminant is another important aspect. According to  railroad settlements  are more harmful than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system of the person and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department stated 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 won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and interfere with learning.

PCBs can be harmful to soil and water as well as air in many regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

PCBs are a major concern to protect the environment and public health. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to these chemicals during the womb.

The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the main source of exposure, as they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can happen from spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored lesions that last for weeks to years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully understood. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, but further studies are needed to understand what this means for us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, like less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and can be found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent antioxidant and can react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can build up in the body, and can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

In Houston residents living near a creosote legacy treatment facility owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, like creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to remove the contamination but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the most important problems that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples in the rail yard is much higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another concern is the gradual release of creosote to the atmosphere. It is causing residents to inhale 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 residents who breathe them in. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the area to understand the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.