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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. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination may be an issue for residents living nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a chemical commonly used to treat wood is also a popular one. It is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer in those 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 distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote may be an extremely hazardous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a significant concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with many types of cancer, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering, as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim they've suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements  are chemicals which don't break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, in the soil or sediment for a long time. They can be found in many places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't known yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious illnesses such as cancer. The people who are exposed to higher levels have been found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine imbalances such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most frequent way that 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 in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.

It is vital to remember that exposure to dioxins could affect your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat, and the frequency you breathe. It is also essential to consider your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that can determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is also important. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others for the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (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 affect the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer deaths that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release stated that 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 proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. They were banned in 1979 after being discovered to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They are strong binders of organic matter and can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.

Therefore, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Furthermore, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to PCBs in the womb.

The most common 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 be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to determine how this affects us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as 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 highly toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products, such as paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can build up in the body, and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment facility owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.

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. Residents claim that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the most important problems that resulted due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is the slow evaporation of creosote to the atmosphere. As it does, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are toxic for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who breathe them. To find out more about the effect of the vapors in 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 pity and must be resolved immediately.

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia that was five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.