West Virginia Cancer Lawsuits Filed Over Contamination Near Nitro
Nearly 150 lawsuits have been filed in West Virginia against the chemical and agricultural giant Monsanto, accusing the company of contaminating air, soil and water near the town of Nitro, just west of Charleston.
Approximately 97 environmental tort lawsuits were filed this week in Putnam Circuit Court against Monsanto and successor companies, according to the West Virginia Record. These filings join about 50 other cases brought earlier this month
The complaints were filed by area residents who claim to have developed cancer and other health problems as a result of dioxin releases between 1934 and 2000 from a tricholophenol plant owned and managed by Monsanto. The plaintiffs allege Monsanto management unlawfully disposed of dioxin-laden chemicals by burning them in open pits, releasing the known carcinogen into the environment.
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Learn MoreThe cancer lawsuits seek compensatory damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and also seek punitive damages. There is also a Nitro, West Virginia class action lawsuit pending against Monsanto for current and former residents, seeking the cost of long-term medical monitoring for potential cancer and other ailments that may result from dioxin exposure.
Monsanto manufactured an herbicide at the Nitro, West Virginia plant between 1949 and 1970, which resulted in the escape of dibenzo dioxins and dibenzo furans into the air during illegal burns, according to the complaints. The plant also produced rubber products and Agent Orange.
Dioxin is listed as a known human carcinogen by the U.S. National Toxicology Program, and has been also linked to birth defects, infertility, learning disabilities, and can negatively impact the immune system.
2 Comments
ShirleyJuly 12, 2022 at 1:52 am
Diagnosed with cancer and immune disorder kidney problems blood disorders crazy stuff she suffered most of her life passed away age 73 in Nitro West Virginia 17 May 2022
LarryJune 16, 2019 at 3:36 pm
I lived in Nitro from 1962 - 1969 my childhood years and played baseball. I am received a letter that Nitro would pay for medical bills back in 2012 but I did not have any then. I was discharged from the Army in 1975 due to blebs in both lungs and had years of lung issues i.e. pneumonia and collapsed lungs median sternotomy surgery in 1985, he has suffered long-term pain afterwards. with surgery[Show More]I lived in Nitro from 1962 - 1969 my childhood years and played baseball. I am received a letter that Nitro would pay for medical bills back in 2012 but I did not have any then. I was discharged from the Army in 1975 due to blebs in both lungs and had years of lung issues i.e. pneumonia and collapsed lungs median sternotomy surgery in 1985, he has suffered long-term pain afterwards. with surgery in 1985. Then diagnosed with lung cancer in both lungs.