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At least three Jersey City residents filed a class action lawsuit Monday against two area companies for health problems that allegedly arose or could arise from the presence of chromium residue in sites near where they have lived.

The suit, brought by residents Mattie Halley, Latrecia Smith and Barry Wein, is the first of its kind that seeks medical screening and monitoring, according to a spokeswoman for one of the law firms involved. It alleges that Honeywell International and PPG Industries dumped and failed to clean up carcinogenic hexavalent chromium at more than 100 sites in Jersey City. It also seeks compensation for property owners whose properties may be devalued as the result of toxic pollution.

Honeywell and PPG have been in the hotseat in recent years over historic chromium disposal practices. Both companies produced chromium for industrial use during the first half of the 20th century, and a by-product known as chrome ore processing residue (COPR) — a substance that can remain in soil, water and air for decades — has been implicated as a potential cause of lung cancer in those who suffer long-term exposure, such as residents of areas near COPR sites.

“The defendants’ internal records demonstrate they had early knowledge of cancer risks associated with exposure to hexavalent chromium,” says Steven German, an attorney for one of the plaintiffs. According to the lawsuit, PPG and Honeywell deliberately attempted to mislead regulatory agencies about these risks.

Representatives for the plaintiffs have mounted a website describing the lawsuit and identifying contaminated properties; the site also seeks to recruit additional plaintiffs by offering a free case evaluation to those who think they may be affected.

Stay tuned to JCI for more information on this story as it develops.

Chromium Class Action Complaint