In the past few years, WEAR has aimed to make a direct impact on the existence and awareness of the Fifth Ward Cancer Cluster. A cancer cluster is defined as a geographic area with a statistically higher than average occurrence of cancer among its residents. The unfolding of the Fifth Ward Cancer Cluster has been a result of decades of neglect. In the 1970s and 1980s, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward began noticing an alarming number of cancer cases, particularly among children. These observations, initially anecdotal, led to growing concerns about a potential cancer cluster in the neighborhood. 

     As the years went by, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started investigating the area. Their studies revealed elevated levels of creosote—a probable carcinogen used as a wood preservative—in the soil and groundwater. This contamination was traced back to a nearby railroad facility.

     By the 2020s, the Fifth Ward cancer cluster had become a prominent example of environmental injustice. The community's struggle for recognition, adequate support, and remediation efforts underscores the broader challenges faced by marginalized neighborhoods dealing with industrial pollution and its health impacts. 

     In this way, environmental health is a critical component of community health, affecting many aspects of our lives such as housing, food security, clean water availability, and more. It is a complex subset of public health which focuses on the relationships between people and the environment. 

Mission Statement: WEAR aims to promote environmental health equity for all, leading to healthier and safer outcomes for students and civilians of Houston. Our work is tied to education-based outcomes and direct engagement with the community. WEAR is committed to making our community a more habitable and inclusive place for everyone!

 

Under the mentorship of Drs. Kapral and Dr. Price, we have used data science this past spring to showcase four different research perspectives that shape the narrative of the Fifth Ward Cancer Cluster: history, cancer cluster, green initiative, and resource. Having presented this research at UH’s annual Undergraduate Research Day (URD), we hope to uplift and empower minority communities affected by the cancer cluster in Houston. 

 

 

 

 

We are excited to further WEAR’s mission by continuing to drive the theme of research into everyday practice and thought with past and present WEAR members. Additionally, we plan to add and implement exciting new changes to our program, such as providing toxics tours across Houston, collaborative volunteer programs both on campus and off campus, and opportunities for creation.





2024 WEAR Research Projects (in order): 

1. Prescribing Justice: Houston’s Redlining Impact on Medical Access (History)
2. Measuring Creosote Exposure Through Prevalence of Linked Diseases In Houston’s Fifth Ward and Surrounding Areas (Cancer Cluster)
3. The Fifth Ward Cancer Cluster: Analyzing the Financial Burden of Cancer Care (Resources)
4. Using USLE to Predict the Theoretical Extent Enhanced Pocket Prairies Can Mitigate Toxin in Rainfall Runoff (Green Initiatives)

Link to Posters: here

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