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 underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. The latest tests have shown that the contamination may be affecting residents living nearby.
Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state and they found higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is one of the most common chemicals that is used in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in people exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal 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 types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log structures and homes against decay and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says creosote is a dangerous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.
Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a significant concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA the EPA, it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to an old rail yard located near their homes. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit is said to have caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing significant health problems.
They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim that they have been harmed by racism in the environment, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances that don't break down in environment quickly and can remain in the air, in the soil or in sediment for a lengthy period. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements are found in a variety of locations that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.
The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. The people who are exposed to higher levels have been found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts called chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily taken in by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.
It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure can affect your health, based on numerous factors , including how much you drink, eat, and the frequency you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other health factors that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.
The kind of contaminant used is also important. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote to affect your health.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy teeth, bones and bones.
For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer-related deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department claimed that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit said that the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate given the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. PCBs were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system and inhibit learning.
PCBs can cause contamination of soil or water as well as air in many areas of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.
This is why PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to PCBs in the womb.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure, since they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.
Another way to be exposed PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This can result from spills or leaks that may occur in electrical and other equipment.
People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.
However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to better understand how this impacts us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies revealed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or a later age.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal and is found in many products, including paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body via two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.
It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can accumulate within the body and can cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other ailments.
Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean up its contaminated site.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals for humans, such as creosote. The company has tried to remove the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents claim.
The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples around the rail yard is higher than the recommended level for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote to the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which could cause death for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who breathe them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors affect the lives of the residents.
This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and should be dealt with immediately.
A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five-fold greater rate than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.