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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination could be affecting residents living nearby.
Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years into a health study conducted by the state, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote which is a common chemical used to treat wood is also a popular one. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.
It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, including fence posts and utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. Cancer Lawsuit can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of different cancer types, including esophageal and lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and is spreading underground.
The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test regularly for contamination and to take steps to prevent it from spreading.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing significant health issues.
Cancer Lawsuits are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination and other kinds of pollution that have impacted them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a lengthy period. They are found in a variety of locations, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to problems with hormones, immune suppression womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most common way people are exposed is through water and food. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, so they are easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.
However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has negative effects on your health is contingent upon many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how often you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.
The kind of contaminant is crucial. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.
For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also damage the immune system of the person and interfere with the growth of healthy teeth and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After they were proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.
PCBs can cause contamination of soil and water as well as air in many regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter, and are generally persistent that means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.
Therefore, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.
Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.
PCBs are most commonly consumed through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure since they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.
Another way to get exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.
In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through the skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.
The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't fully known. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to discover how this affects us.
The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or older.
Lead
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products like paints pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body via two main routes: oral and respiratory.
It is an extremely antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This could cause it to build up within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer, among other diseases.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct 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, including creosote. The railroad has been trying to get rid of the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.
The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most severe effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples from the rail yard is more than the recommended level for drinking water.
Another issue is the gradual release of creosote to the atmosphere. It is causing residents to inhale harmful levels of vapors which could be fatal for children as well as adults.
It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among the people who breathe the vapors. To find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and must be dealt with immediately.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five-fold more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.