A Louisiana couple claims that contamination from a nearby landfill has led to the development of chronic medical conditions, says Frenkel & Frenkel.

An Ascension Parish couple whose home was built next to a former landfill in Louisiana filed a lawsuit alleging that toxic chemicals from the landfill had seeped onto their property, causing them chronic health conditions. The couple discovered in March 2013 that their property contained contaminants, including toluene tar, and that the chemicals are present in both the soil and the groundwater.

Landfill Details During the 1950s, the site next to the home of Larry and Carolyn Sanchez was used as a highway borrow pit, and from 1957 to 1969 was operated as a residential landfill. In the mid-1960s, the private landfill owner allowed Uniroyal Chemical Company to burn toluene tar, which is a byproduct of the production of synthetic rubber. Records show that as much as 1300 tons of toluene tar was shipped to the landfill between 1964 and 1965. In 2005, Chemtura Corp. and Chemtura USA took over responsibility for the site when Uniroyal and Great Lakes Chemical Corporation merged. Confederate Acres Subdivision In the mid-1970s or early 1980s, the landfill became the Confederate Acres, a subdivision that includes homes, a car wash and a day care center. In the mid-2000s, Crompton, the parent country of Chemtura, purchased the homes and businesses directly on the site to resolve lawsuits related to contamination. According to scientists for the state Department of Environmental Quality, the contamination is contained to the landfill site, and extensive sampling of soil and groundwater show concentrations drop to safe levels long before testing reaches the Sanchez property. Chemtura claims that the groundwater and soil were tested on the Sanchez property in 2012 or 2013 and there is no evidence of toluene or other contaminants. Effects of Toluene Toluene can affect the central nervous system and cause tiredness, weakness, and confusion. It is listed as a known carcinogen, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control. Ms. Sanchez claims that the water provided by wells at her home has a foul smell, and the lawsuit states that she has fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and a central nervous system disorder. Mr. Sanchez claims he suffers from kidney cysts, a bleeding ulcer, colon cell damage, chronic fatigue, and leg rashes. When contamination caused by an individual or corporation is suspected as the cause or contributing factor in an illness that could lead to injury or death, a liability claim may be in order. Contact Dallas-Fort Worth lawyers at Frenkel & Frenkel to schedule a free initial consultation regarding an illness where injuries may have been caused or worsened by contamination caused by the actions of a company or individual.


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