EPA meets with Fifth Ward residents over cancer cluster

HOUSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held an open house meeting at the Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center on Thursday to update residents on the agency’s testing related to cancer-causing chemicals in the area.

The meeting was from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday night.

READ: Study finds 330K East Harris County residents living in cancer cluster

In 2019, the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods were officially designated as a cancer cluster after studies revealed significantly higher-than-normal cancer diagnoses among residents.

READ: Elevated levels of toxic chemicals found in Houston’s Fifth Ward cancer cluster

Thursday’s meeting was one of several opportunities for the EPA to share updates with the community on testing related to vapor intrusion, soil contamination, and stormwater quality in the area.

Vapor intrusion occurs when toxic chemicals from contaminated soil or groundwater evaporate and seep into indoor air spaces, potentially posing health risks to residents.

READ: Latest sample results from Fifth Ward soil released

KPRC 2’S COVERAGE OF CANCER CLUSTER IN FIFTH WARD:

• Fifth Ward residents living in cancer cluster call out Mayor, state senators over campaign contributions from Union Pacific
• Fifth Ward residents discuss high incidences of cancer cases in area with elected officials, medical experts
• 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