Harris County officials addressed the community regarding the EPA’s findings of dioxin contamination at Julia C. Hester House in Fifth Ward, highlighting concerns about public health and safety.
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Congressman Sylvester Turner, and County Attorney Christian Menefee held a news conference at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency’s findings of dioxin contamination at the Julia C. Hester House in Fifth Ward.
The community center, operated by Commissioner Ellis’s office, offers programs for both adults and youth.
Recent soil sampling at Hester House, part of the Union Pacific Railroad investigation into potential contamination from the former Houston Wood Preserving Works, revealed levels of dioxin that exceed the EPA’s child screening level, though they remain below the level for individuals aged seven and older. The Harris County Attorney explains why, “It’s not an immediate danger to your health because it’s lower than the adult (threat) level, which is 500 parts per trillion. But you have to think about the difference between kids and adults. Yeah, we’re standing in this grass right now. But, you’re not playing in the soil. You’re not rubbing it on your hands and on your face. Right? Things that kids would typically do”.
Dioxins are highly toxic chemical compounds known to pose significant health risks that can include reproductive, developmental, and immune system issues, as well as causing cancer.
Though the EPA says there is no immediate danger posed by the contaminated soil, people like Camilla Gilbert, who attended Hester House as children and have lived in the area for decades say, say they beg to differ. “I grew up in the 40s and 50s here. We ate dirt. We played in dirt. So, to say that it is not affecting adults as much as it’s affecting children? No.” Gilbert said. “It affected the children who are now adults and it is affecting adults who have moved into this area, who did not grow up in this area, because it’s in the air. You can walk on it and not touch it, but you can’t help but breathe in the air.”
Union Pacific released the following statement regarding the findings:
“Union Pacific, in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has completed the most extensive soil testing related to the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site in the Fifth Ward. Initial results from schools and public properties near the site show nearly all detected chemicals below EPA’s conservative screening levels. Additional EPA testing at Julia C. Hester House will focus on dioxins found above screening levels. Dioxins are commonly found in densely populated areas with a history of industrial activity, and it is premature to identify a source before the entire testing and evaluation process is completed.”
On February 27th, the EPA will be hosting a meeting to give more information to the community on findings. Residential testing is also being done and those at-risk will be notified beginning February 28th.