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Article - Dow faces class-action suit

March 26, 2003,

The Associated Press


Twenty-six Saginaw County residents have filed a class-action lawsuit
against Dow Chemical Co., saying dioxin contamination caused by its Midland
manufacturing plant has threatened their health and left their property
worthless.

Dioxins are highly toxic byproducts of manufacturing and incineration
systems and may cause cancer, birth defects and other health problems in
humans.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Saginaw County Circuit Court, seeks to
represent about 2,000 people who have lived along the Tittabawassee River
and flood plain since January 1984.

Dow Chemical said it had just learned of the complaint and couldn't respond
to specifics. But the company said it has seen no evidence that property
values were hurt and adds that it remains committed to the health of the
community.

"Dow has been working to understand the concerns of residents along the
Tittabawassee River and has been meeting with the community, individually
and collectively, for more than a year," the company said in a statement.

In the lawsuit, the residents ask the court to make Dow establish a medical
monitoring trust fund for them. The fund would pay for dioxin poisoning
testing and treatment, as well as for studies of the toxins' effects and
possible cures.

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