"As it turns out, the field actually belonged to a defunct chemical disposal company called Brio Refining Inc. Over the course of nearly 30 years until 1982, a number of companies had dumped highly toxic byproducts from Houston’s petrochemical industries into the ground with no reliable means of containment. The site was so toxic that the EPA put the Brio Site on the Superfund list, a federal program that came out of the Love Canal scandal of the late 1970’s, marking Brio for toxic waste cleanup".
The story has become overwhelmingly sad for me to research. Do I think that this is the cause of Yousuf’s cancer? No. Do I think that it played a part in him getting cancer? Yes, I do. I don’t believe that any one “thing” can be responsible for something like this. People can argue then, why aren’t their kids getting sick, too? I don't think it's that simple. I live in a predominately Asian community, which is not high on the list for getting childhood leukemia….at least not yet :(. Childhood cancers are higher in white and Hispanic populations, Yousuf is both. Could it be that added factor? I will never know but I will definitely work on eliminating reasons that I CAN for him to be cured such as the healthy diet and living in a safer environment. The other aspects I will just stay actively aware of the statistics.
The Brio Superfund taught me something else…It’s important to be active in one’s community. My goal is to ensure people know of Yousuf’s cancer and that cases of it are still existing in nearby communities. I will not let this whole experience of holding my son down with all of his kicking and screaming on a biweekly basis just pass…justice for all, as much as I can do.
If anyone knows of anyone living in this neighborhood or went to Weber Elementary School please contact me at ummyousuf@gmail.com or please post a comment. I would love to have more knowledge of the Brio Superfund.
http://www.khou.com/news/local/Leak-brings-new-concerns-at-Brio-Superfund-site-95662764.html
I am so sorry for your son. Someone should be active in making people aware of the history in the area before selling or even renting them homes! I guess they leave that to the buyer to research.
ReplyDeleteMy my best friend lived at on Sageglow - 2.5 miles from Brio. She was diagnosed with Leukemia in 1988 - she lost a brave 8 year battle with ALL in 1996.
I discovered yesterday that there is a plethora of information online about the Brio Site. It was virtually nonexistent before and it has rekindled my interest and my anger. I'm in Austin, so I can't act locally. I am going to read everything that is out there though, and I will do something...
Liz
ReplyDeleteI lived in southbend right up untilled they told us we had to move. I was about 12 years old when we had to move. I went to arlyne s Weber elementary. As a kid we frequently strolled through the ditch there catching deformed turtles,fish and weird looking frogs and tadpoles. You could even see where the chemicals had been dumped into the creek because it had washed the ground out from under the fence and turned the earth into a hard grey surface. It also made mounds in the earth that we as. kkids would drag our bikes under the fence and ride around on the mounds. I guess my point is it worries me know as my mom is undergoing Kemp and I have breathing issues.
ReplyDeleteI grew up here and was online looking for a Facebook page. I'm so sorry for your son!!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Southbend and went to school at weber. I live in Austin now. I just found this tonight.
ReplyDeleteCgalaniz@gmail.com
I grew up in Southbend and went to school at weber. I live in Austin now. I just found this tonight.
ReplyDeleteCgalaniz@gmail.com
I'd love to learn more. I live in a house backing the Superfund site and have been diagnosed with Lupus and kidney issues. My mother also has an autoimmune disorder.There is a genetic link to these disorders but they're activation is due to environmental factors much of the time. I'm curious if there is a connection. I have lived ten miles away prior for eight years with no symptoms.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to learn more. I live in a house backing the Superfund site and have been diagnosed with Lupus and kidney issues. My mother also has an autoimmune disorder.There is a genetic link to these disorders but they're activation is due to environmental factors much of the time. I'm curious if there is a connection. I have lived ten miles away prior for eight years with no symptoms.
ReplyDeleteI grew up and SageGlen and went to Weber Elementary from third grade to 6 grade. My parents bought their house on Sagelink Court around 1977. I also played softball for many of years over on the baseball fields next to Brio. I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 24 and had cancer surgery at the age of 26. I have also had unspecified autoimmune diseases including psoriasis as well as unspecified edema that they cannot find the reason for these diseases. I have lived in Atlanta Georgia since I was 23 and always wondered why all this was happening to me. I just recently moved back and heard of the situation with the Brio Superfund toxic Wasteland. I finally think I might have my answer of why I developed cancer at such an early age and also have all these autoimmune diseases that the doctors have just been able to say unspecified do to it not being your typical causes for the disease's. I also had to have my gallbladder removed at an early age my daughter had to have hers removed at the age of 13. I had multiple miscarriages. I was completely in the dark about all this going on with the area I grew up in until just the other day. Wow things finally make sense! I am so sorry to hear about your son. Is there anything we can do now or is it just too late? I feel as if I was robbed of my health with no answers of why. I am so glad that you posted this and will liked to stay informed I noticed that they were building houses over there again and I feel sad for the people that buy houses in that area and what they're getting themselves into because I don't think that there's anything that could clean up the toxic Wasteland.
ReplyDelete