For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote in the underground air at its contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could continue to affect those who live near.
Researchers believe it's due to the large number of cancers found in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical, is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in people who are exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance which is black or amber-colored and has a smoky odor and a burnt flavor. 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 as well as other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log homes and other structures against the effects of rot and insect invasion.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a risky chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach pains, burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
According to the EPA It is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of different cancer types such as esophageal or lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination , and take steps to stop it from spreading.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing significant health problems.
They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have impacted them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down in environment quickly . They can be left in the air, soil or in sediment for long periods. They can be found in various sources, Union Pacific Houston Cancer such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts called chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.
It is vital to remember that exposure can affect your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other health factors that can affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.
In addition, the form of contaminant is also an important factor. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm a person's immune system and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.
For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer-related deaths which has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their neighborhoods. The announcement made by the city's health department stated that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release noted that the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be sufficient in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They are powerful binders of organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.
In addition, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.
PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Another way to be exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This can result from spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.
Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a mild, small skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.
The effects of PCBs upon human health are not completely understood. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.
EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as lower birth weight. A low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies found 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 cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is an extremely oxidizing chemical and can react with other substances in your environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer, among other ailments.
In Houston residents living near a creosote legacy treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to direct the railroad to remove its toxic 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 been working to get rid of the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.
Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain more creosote than what is required for drinking water.
Another issue is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be toxic for both children and adults.
It is also possible that the gases are causing cancers in those who breathe the vapors in. To find out more about the effects of the vapors on lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being done in the neighborhood.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that must be dealt with immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.
