Railroad Workers - 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 plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show the contamination could continue to affect those who live nearby.
Researchers believe that it could be due to the high rate of cancers in the area. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is one of the most common chemicals that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance that's amber or black in color and has a smokey odor and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.
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 can also be used to guard log homes and other structures against the effects of rot and insect invasion.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be a dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.
It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They say the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and to take measures to stop it from spreading.
In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil, causing significant health problems from the former rail yard.
They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they've been affected by environmental racism, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds which do not break down quickly in the environment, and can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for an extended period of time. They can be found in a variety of locations in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin 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 are believed to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine disorders such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile and water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the intake of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.
It is vital to remember, however, that exposure can affect your health, based on numerous factors like how much you drink, eat and the frequency you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.
In addition, the type of contaminant is also an important factor. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They also can harm the immune system of a person and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancers that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department claimed that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and impair learning.
When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They bind tightly to organic matter and are often persistent that means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.
This is why PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.
The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure since they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Another way to be exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This can happen from spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.
Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.
The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't completely understood. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.
The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, 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 paints, pipes and food containers. The body can absorb it through two routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a powerful chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals present in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.
In Houston the residents who live near a creosote treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to cleanse its contaminated facility.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. The company has tried to get rid of the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.
The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most grave consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples from the rail yard is greater than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another issue is the gradual release of creosote in the air. Railroad Workers can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which could cause death for both children as well as adults.
It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among those who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health assessment is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and should be taken care of immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.