Residents fearing chemical exposure can be monitored at the hospital. |
Residents in Nitro, West Virginia, have sued Monsanto, claiming that the chemical company unsafely burned dioxin wastes and polluted homes with unsafe levels of the chemical.
The Monsanto plant has produced herbicides, rubber products and other chemicals for more than 50 years.
Their production of Agent Orange created dioxin as a toxic chemical byproduct, the lawsuit alleges.
Dioxins are regarded as persistent organic pollutants.
They have been considered highly toxic and able to cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer. The chemical builds up in tissue over time, so even small exposures can accumulate to dangerous levels.
Worried about exposure to contaminated soot and dust in their homes, the Nitro residents filed the lawsuit in 2004, seeking medical monitoring for at least 5,000 (and maybe up to 80,000) current and former Nitro residents.
According to an article by Associated Press, the settlement creates an initial $21 million fund, plus up to $63 million more for Nitro residents to have their health monitored over 30 years at a local hospital.
It also provides $9 million to pay for professional cleaning of thousands of homes. Monsanto also has agreed to pay the residents’ legal fees.
The agreement allows thousands of current and former Nitro residents to apply for benefits.
Sources: Charleston Gazette, Washington Post
Use an air purifier to reduce airborne chemicals in your home
Whether it’s from outdoor pollution or from materials used inside, the air in many homes is considerably more polluted than outdoor air.
5000 Vocarb air purifier |
Since we spend up to 90 percent of our time inside, this can quickly become a health hazard.
AllerAir offers portable and powerful air purifiers for the home and office that can remove the widest range of indoor air contaminants, including airborne chemicals, gases, fumes, odors, particles, dust, mold, bacteria and viruses.
The air purifiers feature a large activated carbon filter for gaseous pollutants, a HEPA filter for particles and dust and optional UV germicidal filtration for the neutralization of biological contaminants.
See what difference an air purifier makes – contact AllerAir today for more information and options.