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Houston Plans to Relocate Residents in Fifth Ward Cancer Cluster Site

Summary

Houston officials have announced plans to relocate residents living in a two to three-block radius of a cancer cluster site in the Fifth Ward. The site, located near the Union Pacific Railroad, has been found to have high levels of creosote, a cancer-linked contaminant. The decision to relocate residents comes after authorities identified higher rates of cancer in the area than expected. Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that a city task force would oversee the relocation efforts, which will be operated by various city departments and provided at no cost to residents who choose to relocate voluntarily. The initial cost of the relocation is estimated to be between $24 and $26 million, with the city planning to work with other stakeholders to cover the expenses. The affected neighborhoods, Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens, have long raised concerns about the site's proximity to contaminants, and residents have called for cleanup efforts and access to healthcare.

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