PA Chemical Company Involved in Cancer Lawsuits

By Jaimee Wolbert

Published on August 18, 2005

Several individual negligence lawsuits are also being filed against the company, alleging that it failed to warn employees about potential toxins and carcinogens at the plant.

The site opened in 1963, and has employed more than 6,000 workers. Since 1973, 15 of the employees have developed brain tumors. Of these cases, 7 individuals developed glioblastoma, a rare form of malignant brain cancer. All but one of the 15 employees died.

In a 2002 letter to workers, Rohm and Haas stated that the plant's brain cancer rate was about twice that of the general population. However, a study conducted by the company in 2004 found no significant links among the deaths.

The company is currently reviewing the death certificates of the former employees again, a study they expect to have completed late next year.

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