Fifth Ward cancer cluster: Leaders work to inform residents about issues
Free cancer screenings for Fifth Ward residents
A cancer cluster was first identified in Houston's Fifth Ward in 2019. On Monday, city leaders knocked doors to make sure residents knew about free screenings that could save lives.
HOUSTON - City workers and volunteers worked on Monday to inform residents living in a cancer cluster in Houston's Fifth Ward about ways to learn more and receive free early cancer screenings.
Residents informed about free cancer screenings in Fifth Ward
What Happened:
Councilwoman Letitia Plummer and a team of people worked through the day to knock on doors on Wiley and Clementine streets.
Nearly 200 families in designated areas determined by the Environment Protection Agency were given fliers with information.
Plummer says a little over a year ago she met with groups in Washington D.C., including the National Minority Quality Forum to bring funding for cancer screenings for the people in the Fifth Ward.
On Thursday, a documentary will be shown at the Deluxe Theatre. A presentation on what happened to the area will be held from 5 to 8 p.m.
Councilwoman Plummer says this is just the beginning.
You can learn more about the screenings here.
What they're saying:
Patricia Wallace, 65, says her brothers died as adults from Stage 3 and Stage 4 cancer, but they were once kids who played on the soiled grounds.
"It has been hard now that we know about this happening," said Wallace. "It got a lot of stress off knowing that they are still trying to do something for us."
Cancer Cluster in Fifth Ward-Kashmere Gardens
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: EPA updates residents on cancer cluster
Fifth Ward residents impacted by the deadly cancer cluster in their neighborhood learned about what's next to address the neighborhood concerns. They were updated on efforts made to clean up the toxic chemicals. FOX 26's Sherman Desselle reports on what was discussed.
The backstory:
Cancer cases going back decades have been linked to chemicals from a former Southern Pacific Railroad yard.
The company dumped chemicals into an unlined pit at the site on Liberty Road, resulting in soil and groundwater contamination.
Testing has shown dioxins, a highly toxic compound associated with liver cancer, in soil samples.
Residents voiced concerns about health issues connected to the area in April 2019.
After years of testing the grounds, residents there continue to be frustrated.
You can read more about the cancer cluster here.
The Source: Information in this article comes from Councilwoman Letitia Plummer, the Houston Health Department, EPA and past FOX 26 coverage.