Styrene Chemical Leak Class Action Lawsuit | Toxic Exposure

The Toxic Exposure and Property Contamination Lawyers at The Lyon Firm are investigating new reports of a styrene leak that prompted an immediate evacuation in Whitewater Township in Hamilton County, Ohio. Residents and nearby workers are urged to leave the area and seek safety.

Contact our toxic tort attorneys to learn more about the impact of styrene exposure, and how this particular incident may affect the surrounding environment. The responsible parties may be held accountable.

Class Action Styrene Leak Lawsuit Filed

UPDATE: The Lyon Firm has filed a class action toxic exposure lawsuit against the following defendants: The Central Railroad of Indiana, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc., INEOS ABS (USA) LLC, INEOS Styrolution America LLC, and ABC Corporations 1-20.

The lawsuit alleges reckless and negligent actions and/or omissions in permitting a tanker car filled with a dangerous, hazardous chemical reported to be styrene to leak into the atmosphere and the surrounding area in Whitewater Township, Ohio, near US-50, OH-128 and Valley Junction Road.

The lawsuit states that the defendants owed a duty to maintain, monitor,oversee, inspect and/ or control the rail line upon which the leaking Tanker Car was located and to avoid the release of harmful quantities of toxic chemical substances and materials.

Defendants also owed a duty to prevent the inappropriate storage of toxic chemicals for an extended period of time in urban settings. The Defendants allegedly breached these duties, and others, by negligently manufacturing, transporting, maintaining, stabilizing, controlling, overseeing, inspecting and/ or monitoring the Tanker Car and/ or the Tanker Car’s contents.

What Happened in Whitewater Township?

An investigation is ongoing, but according to Hamilton County EMA, the immediate area of US-50 and OH-128 in Whitewater Township, near Cleves, is being evacuated due to a styrene chemical leak. A Hamilton County spokesperson said over 200 homes within half a mile of the railyard were affected by the evacuation order.

Around 2 p.m. on September 24, 2024, Hamilton County EMA announced that there was a “dangerous” chemical leak near Ohio SR-128. The railyard where the tanker car failed is owned by Central Railroad and/or Genesee.

The chemical released into the air has been identified as styrene, a toxic and flammable chemical. The leak is reportedly coming from a tank car, Miami Township Fire and EMS said. Officials have ordered nearby individuals and families to stay inside, seal windows and doors, close fireplace dampers, and turn off any central air. EMA added that those in the evacuation area can go home or to the Whitewater Township Community Center at 6125 Dry Fork Road for safe shelter.

Three Rivers Local School District also announced that some elementary students are being kept on campus to avoid potential toxic styrene exposure.

What is Styrene?

Styrene, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, is a colorless, highly volatile, flammable liquid. Styrene is used to make plastics and rubber, in turn used to manufacture insulation, pipes, automobile parts, printing cartridges, food containers, and carpet backing.

Styrene exposure may lead to serious health problems, including issues with the nervous system. Side effects of exposure include:

• Changes in vision
• Tiredness
• Feeling drunk or intoxicated
• Slowed reaction time or dexterity
• Concentration and balance problems

Does Styrene Cause Cancer?

The National Toxicology Program NTP Report on Carcinogens lists styrene as a known human carcinogen based on the following evidence:

• Human Studies: occupational studies allegedly show increased risks for lymphohematopoietic cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, and genetic damage in the white blood cells, or lymphocytes, of individuals exposed to styrene. There is also some reported evidence for increased risk of cancer in the pancreas or esophagus among workers exposed.
• Animal Studies: Styrene has allegedly caused lung tumors in several strains of tested mice.

Contact our toxic exposure lawyers to learn more about who is responsible for the Whitewater Township, Cleves, Ohio styrene chemical leak. Joe Lyon has two decades of experience in the field of property contamination and toxic tort litigation. Free consultations are available.