A Lewiston man has filed a lawsuit in Niagara County Supreme Court claiming that an industrial plant in Niagara Falls is responsible for producing radioactive waste that ultimately led to his wife's untimely death. The man's wife passed away from breast cancer two years ago and he believes that her exposure to the radioactive material caused her illness.
The lawsuit specifically accuses NL Industries of dispersing radioactive material throughout Niagara County, posing a significant health risk to the community. Authorities involved in the case have made several startling discoveries finding radioactive materials beneath the man's concrete foundation and on his land, which is located on Upper Mountain Road. It is believed that this material was used as fill for driveways, foundations, roads, and yards in the area.
During the investigation, items were found under the man's house that were directly linked to NL Industries, further supporting the claims made in the lawsuit.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been involved in assessing the situation and confirming the presence of radioactive materials.
In an effort to address the issue, a $7 million excavation project was undertaken, resulting in the removal of 4,800 tons of radioactive soil from both the man's property and an adjacent property. This extensive cleanup was necessary to mitigate the potential health risks associated with the radioactive waste.
According to the lawsuit, radiation levels confirmed by the EPA were found to be two to three times higher than background levels, with some areas exceeding 50 times the normal background radiation. These levels were also reported to be 50 to 100 times higher than the EPA's soil cleanup standard, which is based on a cancer risk of 1 in 10,000.
The lawsuit seeks justice for the man's wife and holds NL Industries accountable for the alleged negligence in handling and disposing of radioactive waste.
The case will now proceed in Niagara County Supreme Court where further investigations and legal proceedings will take place.
We will follow any developments in the case and keep you informed.