Environmental studies and soil collection for chemical testing underway in Fifth Ward

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Soil testing is currently in progress in Houston’s Fifth Ward at the site of the former Union Pacific Wood Preserving facility, an area identified by the City of Houston as having soil contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals.

has been tracking this issue for years. Residents have long voiced concerns that something in the soil was making them ill.

Union Pacific is spearheading the soil testing, collaborating with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the City of Houston, and Harris County. This collective effort aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the soil and identify the chemicals present.

Testing commenced on Wednesday morning at Boyce-Dorian Park in Houston’s Fifth Ward. Officials plan to collect soil samples around the former wood treatment facility until September. Union Pacific has indicated that these tests will be part of several ongoing environmental studies.

“We’re examining various chemicals in the soil, including those typically found at wood treatment sites like Union Pacific’s facility, as well as chemicals commonly present in urban environments,” said Kevin Peterburs, Union Pacific’s Senior Manager of Environmental Remediation.

Following the sample collection, Union Pacific will send the findings to the EPA for review. The timeline for when a report will be compiled and released by the EPA remains uncertain, and has reached out to their media team for more information.

Union Pacific issued the following statement to:

“Union Pacific, in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the City of Houston, and Harris County, is commencing soil testing in Houston’s Fifth Ward. This extensive effort, the most thorough to date in the Fifth Ward, highlights Union Pacific’s steadfast commitment to protecting the health and well-being of residents through proactive environmental assessment and ongoing remediation.

The soil sampling follows a previous round of vapor testing and aims to detect contaminants, including dioxins, furans, volatile organic compounds, and semi-volatile organic compounds, both at the former Houston Wood Preserving Works (HWPW) site and in the surrounding neighborhood.

Identifying and assessing soil contamination is crucial for understanding and mitigating environmental risks to the community. The data collected from the soil and prior vapor testing will contribute to a health risk assessment for area residents.

Under the direct supervision of the EPA, crews will use hand augers, shovels, and spoons to collect soil samples from the surface down to 12 inches deep. Sampling will be conducted at the HWPW site and across five designated zones, including residential properties, schools, and parks, as determined by the EPA.

The selection of sampling locations has been a collaborative effort involving the EPA, TCEQ, and local community stakeholders. Control samples from unaffected off-site locations will be used as benchmarks for comparison.

Control sampling, which began in February 2024, marks the first phase of the rigorous testing process. Neighborhood soil sampling and on-site investigations started in May and will continue through the end of summer or early fall. A second round of vapor testing is scheduled for the summer to assess the impact of heat on vapor migration.

Toni Harrison, Union Pacific’s spokesperson and community liaison, emphasized the company’s dedication to transparency and community engagement throughout the testing process.

“The safety and well-being of Fifth Ward residents are of utmost importance to Union Pacific,” Harrison said. “We are committed to thorough testing, clear communication, and proactive measures to address any identified environmental issues.”

This soil testing initiative is part of Union Pacific’s long-term collaboration with regulatory agencies and local stakeholders. The company’s comprehensive approach includes groundwater monitoring, vapor intrusion testing, and continuous containment and remediation efforts to safeguard public health and the environment.