LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is suing NL Industries and other companies for recovery of cleanup costs at a metals smelter in Los Angeles County.
This smelter “spewed dangerous heavy metals and other toxins into the air, onto the ground, and into the water,” says the lawsuit, filed Dec. 14 in Los Angeles federal court.
The most recent owner of the Vernon property is Exide Technologies, which has gone bankrupt. There is not enough left in the company’s trust to completely remediate the property, the suit says.
So California is suing other companies, like former operator NL Industries. Other defendants are JX Nippon Mining, Gould Electronics, Kinsbursky Bros. Supply, Trojan Battery Company, Rambar Batteries, Clarios, Quemetco, International Metals EKCO and Blount, Inc.
Arsenic and mercury are two of the substances allegedly contaminating the site.