Illinois EPA: Sauk Village's Water Is Contaminated Again
The Sauk Village public drinking water supply has been contaminated yet again with unsafe levels of the gas vinyl chloride.
SAUK VILLAGE, IL, July 19, 2012
The Sauk Village public drinking water supply has been contaminated yet again with unsafe levels of the gas vinyl chloride. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently ordered the suburban Chicago town to alert its residents of the water contamination immediately, under the threat of fines.Sauk Village's 11,000 residents now have to suffer a tap water ban during one of the hottest months of the year and are understandably concerned about the potential health effects of the vinyl chloride exposure.
The first water contamination incident in Sauk Village happened in 2009 when one of the town's three wells was closed due to hazardous levels of vinyl chloride, an odorless industrial chemical that is highly toxic and carcinogenic. Recent water tests have public health officials concerned that the town's two remaining wells may also be contaminated.
Vinyl chloride is a manufacturing byproduct that can be very dangerous even at low levels. The health risks associated with long-term vinyl chloride exposure include liver and kidney damage and an increased likelihood of developing cancer in the liver, brain, lungs or blood.
The EPA says that there is no safe level of vinyl chloride exposure, but the maximum allowed level of the chemical in tap water is 1 part per billion. Recent tests showed that the water in Sauk Village contains vinyl chloride at 1.68 parts per billion, which prompted the alarm from state officials. In addition to Sauk Village residents, individuals living in the Candlelight Village and Weatherstone Lakes mobile home parks have also been exposed to the polluted water.
A variety of entities may be liable for injuries arising out of vinyl chloride exposure. Environmental contamination cases, also known as toxic torts, typically involve many plaintiffs, complex scientific facts and multiple defendants. The law firm of Goldberg Weisman Cairo has successfully litigated many of the most complex Illinois toxic tort cases.
As part of Illinois' largest personal injury law firm, the 33 trial attorneysat GWC have the resources and expertise to maximize recovery for our clients. Our lawyers' dedication and work ethic are why GWC has achieved a reputation as one of the most successful firms in the state.
To set up a free consultation with a trial attorney at Goldberg Weisman Cairo, call us at 800-785-8702 or visit http://www.gwclaw.com.