$2 Million Pollution Lawsuit Headed for Court in Maryland

By Christy Burns

Published on December 29, 2006

Jeffrey Dix, a resident of Finksburg in Carroll County, Maryland, claims he contracted non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma as a result of exposure to MTBE. Currently in remission, Dix endured stage-four lymphoma that had spread into his bone marrow.

MTBE, a man-made chemical used by refiners in the 1970s in place of lead in gasoline, has polluted approximately 109 wells in Carroll County — the highest amount of MTBE contamination in the state. Proven to cause cancer in lab animals, the chemical is believed to be toxic to humans, though the extent and level of its threat remains unknown.

Dix alleges that SHA, Wantz Construction Co., Greenprop Inc., Lanter LLC, and Stephen and Eva Timchula failed to adequately remove underground tanks of fuel containing MTBE, resulting in the contamination of his well. The suit also points out that Maryland’s Department of the Environment had told Dix it had properly cleaned the pollution; two years later, he realized they were wrong.

The hearing is scheduled for January 29, 2007.

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