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| Residents are concerned about exposure to toxic chemicals in water and air. |
More than 2,000 residents claim that they have been exposed to cancer-causing chemicals like hexavalent chromium by the now-closed Merced plant.
Plant site was contaminated: Merck
A lawyer representing Merck acknowledged that the site had been contaminated by arsenic and hexavalent chromium, industrial chemicals that were used for more than 20 years to pressure-treat wood for cooling tower frames, but he denied that these toxins entered the groundwater or escaped through the air.
"No one has been exposed to contamination from this wood-treating site," lawyer John Barg said in his opening statement.
According to the news article, the contamination was discovered in 1984, and the plant continued to pressure-treat wood until 1991. It was shut down in 1993.
The first phase of the trial will determine if the residents were contaminated. If the federal jury agrees, a second jury will examine if the residents were harmed by exposure to the chemicals.
More information on hexavalent chromium
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says that chromium hexavalent (CrVI) compounds, which are often called hexavalent chromium, exist in several forms.
Industrial uses of hexavalent chromium compounds include chromate pigments in dyes, paints, inks, and plastics; chromates added as anticorrosive agents to paints, primers, and other surface coatings; and chromic acid electroplated onto metal parts to provide a decorative or protective coating.
Do you live or work close to an industrial complex? If you are concerned about your indoor air quality, you can contact one of our Air Quality Experts today or find out more on our website.
Source: http://www.standard.net/topics/business/2011/02/04/lawyer-says-plant-owned-merck-exposed-residents-toxic-chemicals
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