Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians? For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination may be affecting residents living nearby. Researchers believe it is due to the large number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site. Creosote Creosote, a common chemical used in the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It can cause cancer in those who are exposed to it. It is a dense, oily substance that is amber or black in color and has a smoky scent and a 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 kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a hazardous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage. Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer. According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number kinds of cancers such as esophageal or lung cancer. Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They say the chemical has affected their homes and soil and continues to spread underground. Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and to take measures to stop 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 that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing serious health issues. They are seeking damages from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They also claim that they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends. pancreatic cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement are chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment and they can remain in the soil, air, or sediment for a long duration. They are found in a variety of places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste. The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes and hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood. However, it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much air you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins. Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is another important factor. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote. For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They also can harm the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy teeth, bones, and bones. For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer-related deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release stated that the results were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue 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 both consumer and industrial products. They were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning. PCBs can contaminate soil, water, and air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment. In the end, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals. Additionally certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb. The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products. Another way to be exposed PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This can happen from leaks or spills that could occur in electrical and other equipment. Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years. The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not completely known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but further studies are needed to discover how this affects us. EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or an earlier age. Lead Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products including paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it via two routes: oral and respiratory. It is a powerful antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate within the body and could lead to serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases. In Houston residents living near a creosote treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility. The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. The company has tried to clean up the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents believe. Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples in the rail yard is more than the recommended levels for drinking water. Another concern is that the creosote 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 possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. To find out more about the impact of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being done in the neighborhood. This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a sad state of affairs and should be dealt with immediately. A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.
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