Harris County, TX attorney files suit against International Paper, Waste Management, and other companies over San Jacinto River dioxin contamination [From the web]

HOUSTON, TEXAS, Jan. 3, 2012 (Local News) - Today Vince Ryan announced that his office filed suit against several companies for allowing dioxin to pollute the San Jacinto River for a period of over 45 years. The Defendants in this suit are International Paper Company, Waste Management, Inc., Waste Management of Texas, Inc. and McGinnis Industrial Maintenance Corporation.

The County's lawsuit contends that in 1965 a Waste Management company disposed of highly toxic waste from International Paper's nearby paper mill into waste pits located on the shores of the San Jacinto River. The toxic contents of these pits leaked into the River for decades. The companies eventually abandoned the waste pits, and over the years portions of them became submerged below the San Jacinto River.

Because of the health risks caused by the dioxin, the State of Texas has issued a consumption advisory for crab and all species of fish from the San Jacinto River, warning women who are nursing, pregnant or who might be pregnant and children under the age of 12 not to consume any fish or blue crab from the area. It has also advised adults and children to avoid the risk of exposure to dioxin through skin by not camping, fishing, or picnicking near the San Jacinto River where the toxic waste ponds were located. According to the County human and ecological health continue to be threatened by releases of dioxin.

The Vindicator - Harris County files suit on San Jacinto River dioxin contamination

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