Science has been fighting an uphill battle against giant pesticide manufacturers like Syngenta who claim that a little weed killer in your drinking water won’t hurt you. Independent scientists now believe that even trace amounts can harm you.
St. Louis, Missouri (PRWEB) January 16, 2013
The St. Louis law firm of Korein Tillery announced today that checks are now being sent to water systems across the country in the final phase of a class action settlement with Syngenta, the largest manufacturer of the weed killer atrazine. (City of Greenville v. Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., Case No.: 3:10-cv-00188-JPG-PMF)
A suspected endocrine disruptor, atrazine is the subject of an Environmental Protection Agency special review to determine its connection to possible adverse health problems, especially in developing fetuses. Tens of millions of pounds of the weed killer are sprayed on new corn crops each year, much of which ends up in the rivers and streams providing water to communities across the country.
The Swiss company Syngenta is the largest manufacturer of atrazine in the world. Although banned in Europe, (International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health) atrazine continues to be heavily used in this country. A growing number of independent scientists in the United States are calling for tighter restrictions here too.
Stephen M. Tillery, senior partner of Korein Tillery, said, “Science has been fighting an uphill battle against giant pesticide manufacturers like Syngenta who claim that a little weed killer in your drinking water won’t hurt you. Independent scientists now believe that even trace amounts can harm you and your children for generations to come.”
The settlement was meant to help reimburse communities for past expenses associated with the removal of atrazine. Tillery said the percentage of participation by class members was unprecedented. “Every cent of the settlement fund will be distributed to class members.” Nearly 1100 community water providers filed claims and are receiving a portion of the fund.
For more information visit http://www.atrazinesettlement.com
*Korein Tillery is an AV-rated, award-winning law firm with offices in St. Louis and Chicago that has won significant verdicts and settlements over the past decade in Class Action, ERISA/Pension Fund Litigation, and Environmental Litigation. The firm represents individuals and businesses in local, state, federal and international venues in complex multi-party litigation.