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 rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests show that the contamination could continue to affect those who live near.
Researchers believe it's due to the high incidence of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health the researchers discovered that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote which is a common chemical that is used to treat wood is also a popular one. It is also a cause of cancer in people exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. 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 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 rot and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote can be a dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pain and burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.
Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a serious issue for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
According to Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with many types of cancer that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a railroad yard right next to their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.
The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test regularly for contamination and take measures to prevent it from spreading.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused serious health problems as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They claim they've been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil or sediment for long periods. They can be found in many places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.
The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at greater risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues as well as hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.
It is nevertheless important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has negative effects on your health is contingent upon numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and the amount of air you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other factors in your health that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.
Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is another important aspect. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department revealed that they had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. Railroad Cancer Lawyer said that the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after they were found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and hinder learning.
PCBs can infect soil and water as well as air in many areas of the globe once they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter and are often persistent and therefore, are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major problem for the protection of the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.
Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals while pregnant.
The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure because they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can happen from leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.
People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for months or even years.
The effects of PCBs on human health are not fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but more studies are needed to discover the extent to which this impacts us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in the course of. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or an earlier age.
Lead
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in many products like paints pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.
It is an extremely antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the environment. This can lead to it accumulating within the body. Railroad Cancer Lawyer can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.
In Houston, people who live near a creosote legacy treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to clean up its contaminated site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote from the atmosphere. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors, which could cause death for both children as well as adults.
It is also possible that gases are causing cancers in the people who breathe them in. To learn more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and needs to be taken care of immediately.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.