What happened in the Toms River case?
A settlement has been reached between 69 families in Toms River, N.J., and two chemical companies and a water company the families blame for environmental pollution they claim led to dozens of cases of childhood cancers. The three companies — Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp., Union Carbide Corp.
Does Toms River have a cancer cluster?
NJDOH reported that children under the age of five years who lived in Ocean County, and in the Toms River area of Dover Township had higher rates of brain and central nervous system cancers than other children in New Jersey.
What happened to the Ciba-Geigy Toms River?
From 1952 to 1990, Ciba-Geigy manufactured dyes, pigments, resins and epoxy additives. All commercial operations at the site ceased in December 1996 and most of the manufacturing buildings were subsequently demolished.
Is Toms River a Superfund site?
TOMS RIVER – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to remove a once-toxic Toms River farm from its list of federal Superfund sites, a move that would mark the end of the government’s cleanup efforts on a three-acre parcel near Route 9.
Where is Ciba Geigy?
The Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corporation site in Toms River, Dover Township, New Jersey, was owned and operated by the Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation which was formerly the Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corporation (Ciba-Geigy) …
Why is Toms River called toms?
In 1685, the British-born Thomas Luker settled along the banks of what was then called Goose Creek. Luker began operating a small ferry service across the waterway, which eventually became known as Toms River. The first reference to the name can be found on a 1712 map of the area: it’s called Tom’s River.
Does Toms River have a high cancer rate?
In Toms River, there were 20.1 cases of all childhood cancers, 4 cases of leukemia, and 6.9 cases of brain and central nervous system cancers. Ocean County averaged 27.3 total cancers, 5 leukemias, and 7.2 brain and central nervous system cancers. The numbers include children diagnosed between infancy and age 19.
Why does New Jersey have a high cancer rate?
DeNittis, a member of the National Health Institutes cancer prevention control committee, said the high rates are due to an older average age of residents who grew up during a time when smoking tobacco was normal and cancer prevention was limited.
Who owns Ciba-Geigy?
It was formed as the non-pharmaceuticals elements of Novartis were spun out in 1997, following the merger in the previous year of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz that created Novartis. In 2008, Ciba was acquired by the German chemical company BASF and, in April 2009, integrated into the BASF group.
Where is Reich Farm in Toms River?
The Reich Farm site, located south of Church Road about a mile from the Garden State Parkway, is the source of an underground pollution plume that made its way into Suez Toms River’s (formerly United Water Toms River’s) Parkway well field around 1982.
Does Ciba-Geigy still exist?
Ciba-Geigy Corp. is now two companies: Novartis and Ciba Specialty Chemicals.
Is Toms River Water Safe?
We’re pleased to advise our customers that our water continues to meet or exceed all state and federal regulations for safe drinking water,” said Jim Mastrokalos, Director of Operations.
Is Toms River a good place to live?
Toms River is a great place to live, with great employment opportunities and plenty of recreation at a very affordable price, Toms River can make a great home for both young people or families looking for a good place to live.
Is radon common in NJ?
The New Jersey Department of Health said one in six New Jersey homes has elevated levels of radon, according to a press release. Radon occurs naturally and has no color, odor or taste, and moves into soil and home foundations.
Where are cancer clusters in the US?
A study shows cancer deaths in counties across the nation, revealing clusters that have lagged behind national cancer efforts. Deaths from all cancers in 2014 were highest along the Mississippi River, near the Kentucky-West Virginia border, western Alaska and the South in general.
Did BASF buy Ciba?
BASF completes acquisition of Ciba and appoints new CEO, CFO; divests HALS business to Sabo. BASF SE has successfully completed its c. €3.8 billion acquisition of Ciba Holding AG. It now holds 95.8% of Ciba shares.
When did Ciba-Geigy close?
1996
Ciba-Geigy, initially called Toms River Chemical Co., made millions of pounds of industrial dyes and resins on its property from 1952 until all manufacturing operations ceased in 1996.
Who took over Ciba-Geigy?
Novartis
Novartis was created in 1996 through a merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz. Novartis and its predecessor companies trace roots back more than 250 years, with a rich history of developing innovative products.
What happened to Toms River water?
Residents in the area believe that the local water company, Toms River Water Company (now United Water Toms River), mishandled the water supply when it became evident that it was contaminated, and did not treat the water adequately to make it safe. In the 1990s it seemed as if the number of children with cancer in the Toms River area was growing.
Did industrial pollution cause cancer in Toms River?
Since the 1990s, Toms River families affected by cancer linked to industrial pollution pursued a class-action lawsuit against the Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Union Carbide Corporation, and the United Water Toms River. From 1952-1990, the Ciba-Geigy Corporation (since acquired by BASF) operated a dye manufacturing plant in Toms River.
Is Toms River chemical really responsible for fish kills?
Whether Toms River Chemical was really responsible for fish kills occurring miles downstream was unknowable, but there was no doubt that almost nothing could live in its undiluted effluent—especially during hot summers.
Did’Erin Brockovich’make Toms River water toxic?
TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River’s water supply tested positive for chromium-6, the cancer-causing toxin that was made famous in the 2000 Julia Roberts movie “Erin Brockovich,” according to a new study published Tuesday by the Environmental Working Group.