Woman Sues Pfizer Over Alleged PCB Spill

By Nina Settappa

Woman Sues Pfizer Over Alleged PCB Spill

June 18, 2010 Updated Nov 12, 2008 at 7:41 AM EST

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) - A Terre Haute-area woman is suing Pfizer Inc., claiming that the release of toxins from a wastewater lagoon at one of its plants contaminated her property.

The lawsuit by 79-year-old Dorothy McLaughlin stems from the release of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in June. Heavy rains and floods caused a lagoon dam to break at Pfizer's facility south of Terre Haute.

McLaughlin's suit claims the flood waters severely damaged her home. It also claims Pfizer was negligent in maintaining its dam and seeks the ability to bring environmental legal action against the company.

Pfizer spokesman Rick Chambers says the company doesn't comment
on pending litigation.

The federal government banned the manufacture of PCBs in 1977.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)




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