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 remove an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting those who live near.
Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical, is that is used in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance that's amber or black in color and has a smoky smell and a burnt flavor. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be a risky chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety kinds of cancers such as esophageal or 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 affected their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.
In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused major health problems as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They claim to have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals that don't break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the air, water, or in sediment for a long duration. They are found in a variety of places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not known but there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine problems, like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger problems with hormones, immune suppression, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking water or food. Railroad Cancer Lawyer or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.
However, it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that has negative effects on your health is contingent upon various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your age, gender, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other health factors that can affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.
The type of contaminant crucial. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancers that have been that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is close to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit stated that the results were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.
PCBs can cause contamination of soil as well as water and air in many regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter and are generally persistent that means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.
In the end, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.
The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.
Railroad Cancer Lawyer to this, people may be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for several weeks to several years.
However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to determine what this means for us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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 many products including paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body via two main routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a potent chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. It can build up in the body, and could cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.
Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government 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 for humans, such as creosote. The company has been trying to remove the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents say.
One of the major problems that arose from the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. Railroad Cancer conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.
Another concern is the slow evaporation of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death for children as well as adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.
Railroad Cancer Lawyer is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that must be addressed 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 neighborhoods than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.