At OnderLaw, we’re all too familiar with the dark history of Aerojet General Corp, and the Superfund site they created in California. For decades, the company used and disposed of hazardous chemicals, contaminating the local environment and potentially putting people’s health at risk. Because of this, a Rancho Cordova environmental attorney like OnderLaw may be able to help. From cancer-causing chemicals in groundwater to toxic dust in the air, the environmental impact of Aerojet General Corp is still being felt today.
The Aerojet General Corporation was founded in 1942 during World War II, as a rocket propulsion manufacturer for the U.S. government. In the following decades, the company expanded its operations in Rancho Cordova, CA, and became one of the leading defense and aerospace contractors in the United States. However, with that success came a history of environmental contamination and pollution that affected the surrounding communities and workers.
In 1983, the land on which the Aerojet General Corporation lies became known as one of the most polluted Superfund sites in California. The EPA designated the Aerojet site as a Superfund site due to the high levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) and other hazardous chemicals in the soil and groundwater, which resulted from decades of chemical manufacturing, rocket testing, and waste disposal.
Despite the extensive remediation efforts and cleanup, contamination at the Aerojet site continues to this day, and the health effects from the chemicals have had a lasting impact on the surrounding community. As a result, many residents and workers have filed lawsuits against Aerojet General Corp, seeking compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering caused by the contamination.
The history of the Aerojet General Corporation in Rancho Cordova serves as a cautionary tale of the lasting effects of environmental contamination and pollution on communities. It also highlights the importance of holding companies accountable for their actions and providing support for the affected individuals through legal channels.
The Aerojet General Corp site in Rancho Cordova, CA has a long and sordid history of toxic chemical contamination. While the site was in operation, a wide variety of hazardous chemicals were used, stored, and disposed of on the property.
One of the most concerning types of chemicals found at the site are trichloroethylene compounds, or TCEs. These are a group of industrial solvents that were commonly used as degreasers and cleaning agents. They are known to be highly toxic and the EPA has made efforts to ban the substance in the United States. While this hasn’t yet been successful, the FDA and EPA both work to spread awareness about the dangers TCEs can have to both humans and the environment.
In addition to TCEs, the site is also known to be contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. PCBs were once widely used in electrical equipment but, unlike TCEs, they have been banned in the US since 1979 due to their toxicity.
Lastly, heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and chromium have also been found at the Aerojet General Corp site. These metals can cause serious health problems from severe skin conditions to cancer and brain damage.
Overall, the chemicals found at the Aerojet General Corp site are some of the most toxic and hazardous substances on earth. The contamination of this site represents a significant threat to public health and safety, and underscores the importance of environmental regulations and the need for robust legal action to protect those affected.
The chemicals found at the Aerojet General Corp site have been linked to a number of severe health problems. All of the contaminants found at the site are known to cause long-term damage to the body, and it is crucial that those living nearby are aware of their side-effects.
TCEs, or trichloroethylene, is a common industrial solvent that can cause liver and kidney damage, as well as neurological damage. Exposure to TCEs has also been linked to certain cancers, including kidney and liver cancer.
PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are a group of man-made chemicals that were widely used in electrical equipment and other industrial applications. PCBs are known to cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, and damage to the immune system. Exposure to PCBs has also been linked to a number of cancers, including liver cancer.
Heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, and mercury, were also found at the Aerojet General Corp site. Exposure to these metals can cause serious health problems, including damage to the nervous system, respiratory problems, and certain cancers.
The health effects of exposure to these chemicals can take years or even decades to appear, making it difficult for those affected to connect their health problems to their exposure at the Aerojet General Corp site.
If you believe that you or a loved one has been affected by exposure to TCEs, PCBs, or heavy metals at the Aerojet General Corp site, it is important to seek the help of an experienced environmental attorney. At OnderLaw, we can help you understand your legal options and can work to hold those responsible for the contamination accountable for their actions.
When a corporation’s negligence becomes harmful to the public, OnderLaw is ready to fight for justice on the public’s behalf. As experienced environmental attorneys, we know what it takes to hold companies accountable for what they’ve done. There are several legal routes available, and it it important to know what options you may have.
When multiple individuals have been harmed by a defendant’s actions, a class action lawsuit may be the most efficient and cost-effective way to bring a case to court. In a class action, plaintiffs come together to pursue legal action against the defendant, pooling their resources and sharing the cost of legal fees. A class action may be particularly appropriate when a large number of people have been affected by the same issue, such as contamination from the Aerojet General Corp site.
Another legal avenue for plaintiffs is mass tort litigation. This type of litigation is similar to class actions, but each plaintiff’s claim is evaluated individually. Mass torts are often used in cases where there are common facts, but individual claims for damages, such as in cases of toxic exposure. Toxic torts, a type of personal injury lawsuit that focuses on harm caused by exposure to hazardous materials, may be brought by individuals or by groups of individuals affected by the same source of contamination.
To prove a toxic tort case, a plaintiff must demonstrate several elements, including that the defendant was responsible for the contamination, that the plaintiff was exposed to the hazardous substance, and that the exposure caused harm to the plaintiff. Proving causation can be particularly challenging in toxic tort cases, as many other factors may contribute to a plaintiff’s health issues.
It is important to note that a statute of limitations applies to toxic tort cases and varies between states. Therefore, it is critical that those impacted by the Aerojet General Corp site speak to a Rancho Cordova environmental attorney as soon as possible to ensure that they are within the legal time frame to bring a claim.
The individuals impacted by the Aerojet General Corp site have suffered greatly as a result of the company’s negligence. As a site contaminated with chemicals such as PAHs, there are a number of health risks associated with exposure to the site’s contaminants, including cancer, respiratory problems, and neurological disorders. Those affected should consider their legal options carefully and consult with an experienced environmental law attorney to determine the best course of action for their specific case.
If you believe you or your community may have been impacted by the contaminants left behind by the Aerojet General Corporation, and you haven’t already received compensation, please click here to speak with our experienced environmental law team today.
