Verizon Sued Over Former Nuclear Fuel Plant

By Sophia Brink

Published on November 19, 2007

Five employees of Magazine Distributors, Inc. want Verizon to pay for their medical monitoring. They fear possible exposure to toxic chemicals at MDI's previous location, a former nuclear fuel plant in Hicksville, NY, may cause them to develop cancer or other illnesses.

Verizon predecessor Sylvania Electronic Products, Inc. operated the plant between 1952 and 1966. During this time, the plant was used to produce nuclear fuel rods from uranium. The suit claims Sylvania irresponsibly disposed of harmful chemicals, leading to contamination. Chemicals the plaintiffs may have been exposed to include tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethene.

This is not the first lawsuit filed over the former nuclear-fuel plant. In 2001, residents living in the vicinity of the plant filed a lawsuit against Verizon and its predecessor companies. They settled for $11 million in 2003.

In August of this year, two former MDI workers filed a lawsuit against Verizon, claiming chemical exposure caused their illnesses. The two plaintiffs, who also filed workers' compensation claims against MDI, still await a decision.