Cancer Clusters: New developments continue to pop up in Fifth Ward, Kashmere Gardens despite contamination concerns
Cancer Clusters: New developments continue to pop up in Fifth Ward, Kashmere Gardens despite contamination concerns. Learn more about the ongoing situation and the residents fighting for accountability. #CancerClusters #EnvironmentalJustice #StayInformed
Mayor Whitmire says he needs more time to sort out plan to help residents move out of Fifth Ward cancer cluster
During a city council meeting on Wednesday, newly-elected John Whitmire decided not to vote on a major agenda item this week, which involves a $2 million investment to help Fifth Ward residents being impacted by cancer clusters.
โWhat are we waiting for?โ Tense moments during city council meeting over $5M Fifth Ward relocation fund proposal
Last year, the Houston Health Department said it found cancer-causing chemicals in the soil around the Union Pacific Railroad yard. The soil contained dioxin, a highly toxic chemical compound associated with cancer and other severe health risks.
Union Pacific solidifies agreement to increase testing in Fifth Ward neighborhood, part of area where cancer cluster identified
Union Pacific Railroad has announced a collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and community partners in an agreement to move forward with additional environmental assessment and testing at the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site in Fifth Ward.
THEA calls on state to conduct in-depth studies on the health of residents living in Kashmere Gardens and the Fifth Ward
The Texas Health and Environmental Alliance (THEA) held a press conference Thursday to call on the state to conduct in-depth studies on the health of residents living in Kashmere Gardens and the Fifth Ward.
Negotiations begin on cleanup plans for Union Pacific contamination impacting 5th Ward, Kashmere Gardens
The City of Houston, Harris County, and nonprofit Bayou City Initiative have started negotiations with Union Pacific related to its remediation plan for the creosote contamination at the Houston Wood Preserving Works Site (HWPW) impacting the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods.
Houston-area authorities discuss โnext stepsโ for Kashmere Gardens, Fifth Ward environmental justice efforts
Houston and Harris County will be joined by environmental experts and Kashmere Gardens - Fifth Ward residents to announce the next step in seeking justice for families living in near the cancer cluster.
EPA announced sweeping measures to improve the environmental health of communities in the south
The Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday announced sweeping measures meant to improve the environmental health of communities throughout the south, including parts of Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens, overwhelmed by a long-known cancer cluster.
State health report finds alarming rate of cancer diagnosis among children in 5th ward
In 2020, a state health and human services report found higher rates of lung, esophagus and throat cancer among adults in the area. Now, a new report released earlier in January shows children sickened with Leukemia at nearly five times the expected rate. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is calling on Union Pacific and state agencies to get involved and care for these families. Both cancer clusters are near legacy creosote contamination at a facility now owned by Union Pacific. โI am requesting that Union Pacific help to relocate affected residents and create a buffer between contaminated areas and homes in the neighborhood.
Cancer clusters cause concern as congresswoman leads town hall in search for answers
Sunday on Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston) talks about the challenge of finding answers for the community. Jackson Lee said that while she is back in her district, she is still connected to the House effort in Washington. Baylor St. Lukeโs trains to identify human trafficking victimsKimberly Williams, Baylor St. Luke's Project Coordinator, Human Trafficking Initiative (KPRC)A recent study estimated that tens of thousands of victims of human trafficking are in Southeast Texas. Kimberly Williams is the project coordinator for the Human Trafficking Initiative at Baylor St. Lukeโs Medical Center and said they are often on the front lines of the human trafficking battle. Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall airs Sundays at 10:30 a.m.More informationU.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, (D) 18th Congressional DistrictKimberly Williams, Human Trafficking Project Coordinator, Baylor, St. Lukeโs Medical Center
City health officials survey families in โcancer clusterโ neighborhoods
Why the Survey MattersโWe know that the contaminants in the groundwater plume are carcinogenic and we know that this community has a cancer clusterโthat means elevated cancer casesโand the TCEQ actually requested the cancer cluster analysis,โ Dr. Lauren Hopkins, the Houston Health Departmentโs Chief Environmental Science Officer, said. Hopkins said they know that there is a carcinogenic chemical plume contaminating underground water underneath approximately 110 homes in Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens. A Community in ActionThe study sparked a fiery response from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, as well as Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, the Houston Health Department and community groups. IMPACT Greater Houston and the Houston Health Department informed residents about the community meetings on January 13 and February 10, when the Houston Health Department plans to release the results of Saturdayโs survey. Jackson-Lee is also working with the state and federal officials and planning a large-scale stakeholder meeting on January 21 in the Fifth Ward at 7 p.m.
Cancer cluster found in Fifth Ward, Kashmere Gardens
HOUSTON โ A report conducted by the Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed a cancer cluster in northeast Houston. Significantly higher than normal diagnoses of the deadly disease were found among residents of the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods, the study confirmed. The report analyzed data from the Texas Cancer Registry over a 17-year period, from 2000 to 2016. โOur neighborhood is contaminated from Union Pacific,โ Edwards insisted. Cantu represents Impact Fifth Ward and its push for answers about creosote cleanup and cancer.