A class action lawsuit has been filed against the zinc smelting plant alleging groundwater is contaminated with arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Property owners are suing DuPont, one of the world's largest chemical makers, for allegedly ruining their homes, decreasing property values, and putting their health at lifelong risk.
The lawsuit was filed in Harrison County Circuit Court and seeks long-term medical monitoring, property damages, and punitive damages for thousands of people in and around Spelter, WV. The class action claims a range of health problems could develop, some of which take decades to manifest including neurological impairment; lung, skin, kidney and stomach cancers; damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, bladder and other internal organs; hypertension; diabetes; and decreased fertility.
Over the last 90 years, the plant produced more than 4 billion pounds of slab zinc and 400 million pounds of zinc dust, materials used in rustproofing products, paint pigments and battery anodes.
