West Virginia Resident Sues Union Carbide, Dow Chemical, Bayer Crop Science and Other Companies for Exposure to Cancer-Causing Ethylene Oxide
A lawsuit filed in Kanawha County, West Virginia, alleges that Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW), its Union Carbide subsidiary, Bayer Crop Science LP, and other companies caused Charleston resident Cathy Darlene Flint to contract multiple myeloma after prolonged exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO). The lawsuit, led by environmental attorney Stuart Calwell, claims that EtO, a known carcinogen, is found in high concentrations in the area due to the defendants' negligence in producing, storing, and using the chemical.
The suit also targets healthcare facilities for allegedly releasing EtO during medical equipment sterilization without proper pollution controls. The EPA identifies the area around Flint's home as being in the 95th to 100th percentile of Air Toxics Cancer Risks. The case seeks damages for health impacts and aims to achieve justice for other affected residents.
Una causa legale presentata nella contea di Kanawha, Virginia Occidentale, accusa Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW), la sua filiale Union Carbide, Bayer Crop Science LP e altre aziende di aver causato a Cathy Darlene Flint, residente a Charleston, la contrazione di mieloma multiplo dopo un'esposizione prolungata a ossido di etilene (EtO). La causa, guidata dall'avvocato ambientale Stuart Calwell, sostiene che l'EtO, un noto carcinogeno, si trova in alte concentrazioni nella zona a causa della negligenza degli imputati nella produzione, stoccaggio e uso della sostanza chimica.
La causa colpisce anche le strutture sanitarie per aver presumibilmente rilasciato EtO durante la sterilizzazione delle attrezzature mediche senza i necessari controlli sull'inquinamento. L'EPA identifica l'area attorno alla casa di Flint come avente un rischio di cancro da tossine aeree tra il 95% e il 100%. Il caso richiede danni per gli effetti sulla salute e mira a ottenere giustizia per altri residenti colpiti.
Una demanda presentada en el condado de Kanawha, Virginia Occidental, alega que Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW), su filial Union Carbide, Bayer Crop Science LP y otras empresas causaron que Cathy Darlene Flint, residente de Charleston, contrajera mieloma múltiple tras una exposición prolongada a óxido de etileno (EtO). La demanda, liderada por el abogado ambiental Stuart Calwell, sostiene que el EtO, un conocido carcinógeno, se encuentra en altas concentraciones en el área debido a la negligencia de los demandados en la producción, almacenamiento y uso del químico.
La demanda también apunta a las instalaciones de salud por presuntamente liberar EtO durante la esterilización de equipos médicos sin el control adecuado de la contaminación. La EPA identifica el área alrededor de la casa de Flint como estando en el 95º al 100º percentil de Riesgos de Cáncer por Tóxicos en el Aire. El caso busca compensaciones por los impactos en la salud y pretende lograr justicia para otros residentes afectados.
웨스트버지니아주 카나와 카운티에서 제기된 소송은 다우케미컬 (NYSE: DOW), 그 자회사 유니언 카바이드, 바이에르 크롭 사이언스 LP 및 기타 회사들이 찰스턴 거주자 캐시 달린 플린트가 에톡시렌 (EtO)에 장기간 노출되어 다발골수종에 걸리게 했다고 주장합니다. 환경 변호사인 스튜어트 칼웰이 이끄는 이 소송은 EtO가 알려진 발암물질로, 피고들의 화학물질 생산, 저장 및 사용의 부주의로 인해 해당 지역에서 높은 농도로 발견된다고 주장합니다.
이 소송은 또한 의료 장비의 멸균 과정에서 적절한 오염 통제 없이 EtO를 방출한 혐의로 의료 시설을 겨냥하고 있습니다. EPA는 플린트의 집 주변을 95번째에서 100번째 백분위수의 공기 독성 암 위험 지역으로 지목합니다. 이 사건은 건강 영향에 대한 손해 배상을 요구하고, 다른 피해를 입은 주민들에게 정의를 찾기 위한 것입니다.
Un procès déposé dans le comté de Kanawha, en Virginie-Occidentale, allègue que Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW), sa filiale Union Carbide, Bayer Crop Science LP et d'autres entreprises ont causé à Cathy Darlene Flint, résidente de Charleston, un myélome multiple après une exposition prolongée à oxyde d'éthylène (EtO). Le procès, dirigé par l'avocat spécialisé en environnement Stuart Calwell, affirme que l'EtO, un carcinogène connu, se trouve en fortes concentrations dans la région en raison de la négligence des défendeurs dans la production, le stockage et l'utilisation de cette substance chimique.
La plainte vise également des établissements de santé pour avoir prétendument libéré de l'EtO lors de la stérilisation d'équipements médicaux sans contrôle adéquat de la pollution. L'EPA identifie la zone autour de la maison de Flint comme étant dans le 95e au 100e percentile des risques de cancer liés aux toxines atmosphériques. L'affaire demande des dommages-intérêts pour les impacts sur la santé et vise à obtenir justice pour d'autres résidents affectés.
Eine Klage, die im Kanawha County, West Virginia, eingereicht wurde, behauptet, dass Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW), ihre Tochtergesellschaft Union Carbide, Bayer Crop Science LP und andere Unternehmen bei Cathy Darlene Flint, einer Bewohnerin von Charleston, Multiples Myelom verursacht haben, nachdem sie über einen längeren Zeitraum Ethylenoxid (EtO) ausgesetzt war. Die Klage, die von dem Umweltanwalt Stuart Calwell geleitet wird, behauptet, dass EtO, ein bekannter Karzinogen, in der Gegend aufgrund der Fahrlässigkeit der Beklagten bei der Produktion, Speicherung und Verwendung des Chemikalie in hohen Konzentrationen vorkommt.
Die Klage richtet sich auch gegen Gesundheitseinrichtungen, die angeblich während der Sterilisation medizinischer Geräte EtO ohne angemessene Umweltkontrollen freigesetzt haben. Die EPA identifiziert das Gebiet rund um Flints Wohnsitz als im 95. bis 100. Perzentil der Luft-Toxine-Krebsrisiken. Der Fall fordert Schadensersatz für gesundheitliche Auswirkungen und zielt darauf ab, Gerechtigkeit für andere betroffene Anwohner zu erreichen.
- None.
- Dow Chemical faces a lawsuit alleging negligence in handling ethylene oxide, potentially leading to significant legal and financial liabilities
- The lawsuit may damage Dow's reputation and impact investor confidence
- Potential for increased regulatory scrutiny and stricter environmental controls, possibly affecting Dow's operations and costs
Insights
This lawsuit against major chemical companies and healthcare systems for alleged ethylene oxide (EtO) exposure is highly significant from a legal and financial perspective. The case has several noteworthy aspects:
- The involvement of prominent environmental attorney Stuart Calwell, known for winning substantial settlements in toxic exposure cases, adds credibility and increases the likelihood of a significant payout.
- The lawsuit targets multiple deep-pocketed defendants, including Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW), Bayer and large healthcare systems, potentially spreading liability and increasing the total settlement amount.
- The allegation of "reckless negligence" in handling EtO could lead to punitive damages, substantially increasing the financial impact.
- This case is described as the first of dozens, indicating a potential wave of litigation that could result in substantial aggregate liability for the defendants.
The financial implications for the companies involved could be severe. Dow Chemical, in particular, may face significant stock pressure as the market prices in potential liabilities. Historical precedents, such as Calwell's
Investors should closely monitor this case and any subsequent filings, as they could materially impact the financial health and stock performance of the involved companies, especially if evidence of negligence or cover-ups emerges during discovery.
The lawsuit's focus on ethylene oxide (EtO) exposure highlights a critical environmental health issue with far-reaching implications. Key points to consider:
- EtO is classified as a known human carcinogen by multiple authoritative bodies, including the EPA and WHO, lending scientific weight to the plaintiff's claims.
- The alleged 95th to 100th percentile Air Toxics Cancer Risk in the affected area, according to EPA tools, suggests an extremely high level of environmental contamination.
- The claim of "unfiltered, purposeful venting" of EtO into communities, if proven, could indicate systemic disregard for public health and potentially lead to regulatory actions beyond this lawsuit.
- The invisible nature of EtO exposure (odorless and colorless) raises concerns about undetected contamination in other industrial areas, potentially spurring increased environmental monitoring and stricter regulations.
This case could be a catalyst for increased scrutiny of industrial EtO use nationwide. Companies using EtO may face pressure to invest in more robust pollution control systems, potentially impacting their operational costs and profitability. The healthcare sector, in particular, may need to reevaluate its sterilization processes, possibly leading to increased costs or shifts in technology.
Investors should be aware that this lawsuit could set a precedent for similar cases across the country, potentially creating a new category of environmental liability for chemical and healthcare companies. This could lead to increased insurance costs, regulatory compliance expenses and potential reputational damage for companies associated with EtO use or production.
The lawsuit against Dow Chemical, Bayer and other major corporations presents significant financial risks that investors should carefully consider:
- Potential Liability: Given the precedent of Calwell's previous settlements (
$100 million and$151 million ), the financial exposure for defendants could be substantial. With multiple defendants, the total liability could easily reach hundreds of millions of dollars. - Stock Impact: Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW) and Bayer, being publicly traded companies, may experience stock volatility as the market prices in potential lawsuit outcomes. Historical data shows that toxic tort liabilities can significantly impact share prices.
- Operational Costs: If the allegations are proven, companies may need to invest heavily in pollution control systems and safer processes, potentially impacting profit margins.
- Industry-Wide Effects: This case could trigger similar lawsuits across the chemical and healthcare industries, creating a ripple effect of financial liabilities and increased regulatory scrutiny.
Investors should monitor several key financial metrics for the involved companies:
- Changes in liability provisions on balance sheets
- Increases in legal expenses in quarterly reports
- Revisions to forward guidance that may account for potential settlements or increased operational costs
- Credit rating changes that could affect borrowing costs
Additionally, the potential for punitive damages adds another layer of financial uncertainty. Companies with significant EtO exposure may need to reassess their risk management strategies and potentially increase their insurance coverage, further impacting their financial positions.
While it's premature to quantify the exact financial impact, investors should be prepared for potential long-term effects on the profitability and market valuation of companies involved in EtO production or use.
In the first of dozens of lawsuits to be filed by prominent environmental attorney Stuart Calwell,
Ms. Flint unwittingly spent decades inhaling the ethylene oxide gas that flooded her community, the lawsuit alleges. She has lived for more than 30 years directly across from the Union Carbide plant that used the compound in its manufacturing processes. She now has multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of the plasma cells. She has undergone stem-cell treatment and ongoing rounds of chemotherapy in an attempt to stall the progression of the disease.
The lawsuit is led by prominent environmental tort attorney Stuart Calwell and his firm, Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC.
Defendants include the manufacturers of EtO as well as other companies, including prominent healthcare systems such as Vandalia Health Systems, Inc., which operates the Charleston Area Medical Center, and Thomas Health System Inc., which operates WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals in
A Dangerous, Carcinogenic Gas
Ethylene oxide is a powerful, cancer-causing gas that is highly reactive, with widely acknowledged adverse effects when inhaled, including DNA mutations and blood cancers. The
"Ethylene oxide is odorless, colorless and everywhere," attorney Stuart Calwell said. "Cathy Flint and hundreds of other local residents have unwittingly spent decades inhaling harmful amounts of EtO, simply by living at home, spending time in their yards, walking along the riverbank or neighborhood streets and boating on the Kanawha River."
"And the exposure continues to this very day," he added.
The EPA Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool identifies the area around Ms. Flint's home as being in the 95th to 100th percentile of Air Toxics Cancer Risks.
Direct Venting into the Local Community
Among the more shocking claims, the lawsuit alleges that the defendants allowed unfiltered, purposeful venting directly into Kanawha Valley communities, even though emission controls such as catalytic oxidizer pollution control systems and scrubber systems were readily available.
Ms. Flint is seeking damages from the defendants for this pollution's devastating effects on her health, and hopes to see that other residents harmed by EtO can achieve justice as well.
Lead attorney Stuart Calwell of Calwell Luce DiTrapano is one of the most accomplished attorneys in the nation in toxic-poisoning cases, with a history of fighting for environmental justice for communities harmed by reckless pollution. Perhaps most notably, Calwell battled Monsanto for more than 20 years over its contamination of
The defendants are Dow Chemical Company, Union Carbide Corporation, Covestro LLC, Bayer Material Science, Bayer Polymers LLC, Bayer Crop Science LP, Specialty Products US LLC, Aventis Crop Science, Arco Chemical Company, Lyondell Chemical Company, Rhone Poulenc Institute Plant, Rhone Poulenc AG Company, Altivia Services LLC, Broughton Foods LLC, Broughton Foods Company, Mid-Atlantic Technology, Research & Innovation Center Inc., Vandalia Health Systems, Charleston Area Medical Center Inc. and Thomas Health System Inc.
The case is Cathy Darlene Flint v. Union Carbide, et.al. (Kanawha County Circuit Court, Case No. CC-20-2024-C-773). More information and a copy of the complaint can be found on the Calwell, Luce, diTrapano LLP website, here. Local residents who feel they have been injured should contact the firm at (800) 876-5529.
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SOURCE Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC
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