Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination could be an issue for residents living nearby.
Researchers believe that it could be due to the high rate of cancers found in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state, they found higher-than-expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of 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 odor and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.
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 can also be used for protecting log structures and homes against insects and rot.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is an extremely dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.
Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for those who come into 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 many types of cancer such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination , and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.
In October 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil, causing significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other types of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.
Dioxin
Dioxins are a class of chemicals that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, the soil of the water or sediment for long periods. They can be found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't identified yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes as well as hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.
Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure to dioxins could cause harm to your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.
The type of contaminant is also important. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.
For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their neighborhoods. The city's health department said on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said 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 suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
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 the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements bind tightly to organic matter and are often persistent which means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.
The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.
People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for weeks to years.
The effects of PCBs upon human health are not fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, however more research is needed to find out how this impacts us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. Railroad Cancer of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or later in life.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal that is present in a variety of products like paints pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer, among other illnesses.
In Houston residents living near a legacy creosote treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to clean the site that is contaminated.
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. The company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient, residents say.
The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is among the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study by the health department shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples in the rail yard is much higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.
Another issue is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which can be fatal for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer among those who breathe them. To learn Cancer Lawsuit Settlements about the effects of the vapors on lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a pity and it should be taken care of immediately.
A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.