Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests show the contamination could continue to affect people who live nearby.
Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers in the region. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation 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 kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log houses and other structures from the effects of rot and insect invasion.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote could be an extremely hazardous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems and even permanent damage.
Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.
It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.
Railroad Cancer Lawsuit of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to a former rail yard near their homes. They say the chemical has affected their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.
The city 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 prevent it from spreading.
In October 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused serious health issues as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim they have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination as well as other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and can remain in the soil, air, water or in sediment for a long period of time. They can be found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't well-studied, there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. Patients who are exposed at higher levels have been found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine changes such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues and 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 are not volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.
Railroad Cancer Lawyer is nevertheless important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that can have detrimental effects on your health is contingent upon many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat and how much air you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.
Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important factor. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. Railroad Cancer Lawyer can harm the immune system of the person and interfere with the development of healthy teeth and bones.
For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer deaths that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their neighborhoods. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said that the results weren't encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These substances were banned in 1979, after they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system and inhibit learning.
PCBs can infect soil, water, and air in many areas around the globe after they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter and are generally persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and build up in the environment.
PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment and public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals in the womb.
PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Since they are the most abundant 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 and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be caused by leaks or spills in electrical or other equipment.
In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for several weeks to several years.
However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.
EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, including less weight at birth. 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 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 poisonous metal that is found in many products, including pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.
It is a potent chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your environment. It can accumulate within the body and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.
In Houston residents living near a creosote treatment facility owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to remove its contaminated facility.
Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to remove the contamination but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the health department shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples in the rail yard is more than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another major concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that are toxic for both children and adults.
It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the residents who breathe the vapors. To find out Railroad Cancer Lawyer of the vapors on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and must be taken care of immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.