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. Now, the most recent tests show the contamination could continue to affect people who live near.
Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years into a health study conducted by the state and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical that is used to treat wood is also a very common one. It is also a cause of cancer in people who are exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.
Railroad Cancer Lawsuit is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods like fence posts, utility poles, as well as marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote may be a risky chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a major concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread 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 regularly for contamination and to take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil under their homes and causing significant health problems.
They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering, as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination and other types of pollution that have 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, soil, or sediment for a long time. They can come from diverse 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 yet known however, there is evidence to suggest that they could cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine changes like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal problems, suppressed immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.
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 water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.
However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that has adverse effects on your health is dependent on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and the amount of air you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other factors in your health that could affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.
Furthermore, the kind of contaminant can be an important factor. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others to 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 also can harm a person's immune system and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.
For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer-related deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their communities. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department revealed that they had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release stated that the results 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 submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and weaken the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.
Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They bind tightly to organic matter and tend to be persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and build up in the environment.
PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. Railroad Cancer considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Furthermore certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.
The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.
Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.
However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully recognized. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand how this impacts us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 items, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a powerful chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body and can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to clean up its contaminated site.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, including creosote. The company has been working to eliminate the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents say.
One of the biggest issues that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study by the health department shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples in the rail yard is greater than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors, which could cause death for children as well as adults.
Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who inhale them. To learn more about the effect of the vapors on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.