More lawsuits filed alleging health issues after styrene leak near Cleves

A number of western Hamilton County residents have filed lawsuits after the leak of a toxic and flammable chemical near Cleves that prompted an evacuation order affecting homes and businesses in the surrounding area.

Since the Sept. 24 styrene leak , five lawsuits seeking class-action status have been filed in federal court in Cincinnati against the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad, its subsidiary the Central Railroad of Indiana and the Addyston-based Ineos ABS (USA) LLC, which owned the styrene at issue, court filings show.

The suits, filed by 11 Cleves and Hooven residents, allege that the leak has caused medical issues related to exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Each suit is asking in part for the companies to expense an investigation into possible medical problems stemming from styrene exposure, aid in the treatment of resulting injuries and provide funding for diagnoses and “preventable medical treatment.”

They are also seeking compensatory damages greater than $25,000, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and an order stating that the companies are liable.

More: What is styrene? What to know about the toxic chemical spurring Cleves evacuation

Dr. Stephen Feagins, the medical director of Hamilton County Public Health, previously said the amount of styrene released into the air was "not even close" to the amount needed to cause cancer. He also said that since styrene evaporates almost immediately in the air, the likelihood of irritation or toxicity is low.

However, residents near the railyard have publicly complained of foul odors and possible health impacts stemming from the chemical leak.

Cleves resident Albert Rhoten said in his lawsuit that he’s suffered health issues, including “headaches, brain fog, dizziness, sore throat, nausea, eye irritation, and coughing.”

“Plaintiff (Rhoten) also suffered and continues to suffer from severe and substantial emotional distress as a result of the styrene release from the Tanker Car,” the lawsuit states.

The companies’ “actions constitute heedless disregard and reckless indifference to the safety of the general public as to constitute willful misconduct and gross negligence, and a conscious disregard for the safety and health of others,” one of the lawsuits states.

Emergency responders first noticed the styrene venting from a tanker at a railyard next to U.S. Route 50 and State Route 128 in Whitewater Township. The railroad was notified shortly after and firefighters had to apply water overnight to the railcar to keep its temperature down.

Officials enacted an evacuation order for roughly 210 homes within a half-mile radius of the railyard due to concerns about chemical exposure and a possible explosion. The order lasted more than 24 hours.

Railroad officials previously said a chemical reaction caused the railcar's pressure valve to release, allowing the styrene gas to escape.

“We are reviewing the claims,” Ineos said in a statement. “As this is now in the hands of the court we cannot comment further at this stage.”

A Genesee & Wyoming spokesperson has yet to respond to an email from The Enquirer seeking comment. The company previously said it doesn’t comment on legal matters.

A judge has yet to rule on whether the complaints can proceed as a class action and no court dates were set as of Tuesday afternoon, court records show.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: More lawsuits filed alleging health issues after styrene leak near Cleves