CATAWBA, South Carolina — A new court ruling will allow one of the lawsuits against the New-Indy Containerboard paper mill in South Carolina to move forward.
People living near the mill in York County sued New-Indy, saying the company violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as well as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
A judge ruled the majority of the claims in this case can go forward. People living near the paper processing plant in Catawba, South Carolina, say they've had health problems from the plant's emissions.
“It’s like when that smell comes, I have to go in the house, my eyes itch, my ears, my head, you can tell that it’s toxic,” Bonnie Lins, who recently moved near the paper mill, said.
In January, New-Indy was in a federal appeals court in Virginia fighting allegations that it has continued to release an excessive amount of gas neighbors say is toxic and violates the Clean Air Act. New-Indy has pushed to have at least one lawsuit filed by residents dismissed.
The EPA said the plant has not violated the latest consent decree, which limited how much hydrogen sulfate it can pump out over a period of time. New-Indy added that there's no standard set by the EPA for emitting the gas when it comes to paper and pulp plants. New-Indy also said there's no evidence that the gas is hazardous.
In previous reporting by WCNC Charlotte, the CDC stated exposure to hydrogen sulfate may cause body irritation.
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