Nearly 20 years after Foster Wheeler closed its plant in Wright Township, groundwater contamination continues to cause problems.
A couple living less than 2 miles away from the affected site filed a personal injury action in Luzerne County Court against Foster Wheeler.
Sarah and Jeffrey Martin claim their well tested positive for trichlorethylene (TCE), which is known to cause liver and heart damage, nausea, and death.
Test results from the Martins' well showed TCE levels more than 20 times above what is considered healthy.
Foster Wheeler operated a train repair facility until it closed in the late 1980s. The company regularly used TCE as a cleaning solvent.
Mark Carmon, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, said Foster Wheeler installed a water treatment system many years ago when tests showed TCE groundwater contamination. The company believed the contamination was contained and testing continued over the years.
"Back in 2004, groundwater sampling found some wells were affected outside the plant property," Carmon said.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency said in early 2005 that 14 residential wells in the area were contaminated by TCE.
In their personal injury lawsuit, the Martins allege that since they drank water from their well before they were notified of the contamination, they have been exposed to personal injury.
They say the TCE in their water source "occurred as a direct result of the release and contaminations which originated at the Foster Wheeler plant," according to the lawsuit.
The Martins also claim their property value has decreased due to the TCE contamination.
The lawsuit seeks costs to clean up the area, relocation costs, reimbursement of lost property values, and costs associated with obtaining healthy water for 25 other affected families in the area. The Martins also want Foster Wheeler to establish a medical monitoring trust fund to pay for medical tests for people living in the affected area.
Reference:
"Couple whose well tested positive for TCE files suit against Foster Wheeler," citizensvoice.com, Edward Lewis, March 2006.
