Resident Sues City of Pinole over Toxic Waste

By Robert Carrier

Published on April 08, 2008

Toxie Myres, 72, filed the lawsuit because he claims that his neighbor was improperly storing wood that had been treated with hazardous chemicals. In the suit, Myres claims that his neighbor was a CalTrans employee and the wood likely came from highway guardrail posts.

Lab tests later revealed that the wood contained high concentrations of two dangerous wood-preserving chemicals. The chemicals pentachlorophenol, sometimes referred to as PCP or penta, and dioxin, which is found in commercial-grade penta, were detected in the logs. Exposure to penta – by inhaling fumes, consuming water that has been contaminated, or through skin contact with contaminated wood or soil – increases the risk of cancer and infertility. Heart failure and death can also result from breathing penta fumes.

The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Myres' civil rights were repeatedly violated as a result of the City of Pinole continuously refusing to remove the hazardous waste, thus subjecting Mr. Myers and residents of the neighborhood to undue risk. The lawsuit also alleges that the plaintiff was unlawfully harassed by the police department after bringing up the issue with the city.

Comment on this article →