Cancer Cluster: What kind of cancer are the residents in Houston’s Fifth Ward being diagnosed with?

HOUSTON – Crews from Union Pacific have started another round of testing in Houston’s Fifth Ward to determine whether or not the area contains dangerous chemicals for its residents, causing many to be diagnosed with some form of cancer.

The Cancer Clusters around Kashmere Gardens have been a topic of discussion over the past few years.

SEE ALSO: ‘This is long overdue’: Fifth Ward resident anxious for Union Pacific soil testing results

KPRC 2 Health Reporter Haley Hernandez said that the Department of State Health Services won’t do a Cancer Cluster study just anywhere. It’s a long process that requires some preliminary evidence.

When the health department confirmed the cancer cluster back in 2019, they were able to prove that people in Fifth Ward disproportionately die of esophagus, lung, and larynx cancers significantly more than the rest of Texas.

Additionally, one of their reports showed a higher number of children in that area die from Leukemia than other places in Texas.

SEE ALSO: ‘They don’t care about us:’ Houston cancer cluster residents feel ignored as they battle rail giant

EPA officials began sampling the soil Wednesday morning.

“We have identified 41 chemicals we’re calling potential contaminants of concern,” EPA project manager, Casey Luckett Snyder said. “Those are chemicals related to the former creosote operation and the work they did there for 50/60 years. Yes, there are chemicals on that list of 41 that are cancer-causing chemicals. Those are called carcinogens. Those along with other chemicals that can cause other types of health effects are being considered as we go through the testing”

The testing will provide valuable insights into the extent of contamination, both associated and unrelated to past activities at the site, and then determine the next steps.

SEE ALSO: EPA meets with residents in Houston’s Fifth Ward cancer cluster

Attorney Jason Gibson spoke to KPRC 2 Investigator Mario Diaz about all the diseases his clients are sick with.

“The list is three pages but I can tell you the main ones: brain cancer, leukemia, esophageal, stomach, kidney, liver, lung, bronchus, breast cancer, and the list goes on.”

SEE MORE:

• Fifth Ward residents living in cancer cluster call out Mayor, state senators over campaign contributions from Union Pacific
• Fifth Ward residents still pleading for action on cancer cluster found in neighborhood
• EPA chief visits Fifth Ward neighborhood where cancer cluster identified
• Family sues Union Pacific, City of Houston over teen’s cancer death
• ‘People have already died’: In Houston, residents demand relief from chronic pollution during EPA chief’s visit
• Cancer cluster found in Fifth Ward, Kashmere Gardens
• State health report finds alarming rate of cancer diagnosis among children in 5th ward
• Fifth Ward residents demand answers from Union Pacific Railroad about cancer cluster found in neighborhood
• Residents in 5th Ward, Kashmere Gardens to discuss contamination concerns in water, soil and air
• Residents fight for environmental justice in Houston neighborhoods dealing with hazardous sites and air pollution