Pollution: The crusade continues
Pollution
US-based environmental pollution crusader Erin Brockovich and her partner Ed Masry are at it again. The target of their attention this time is three oil firms who, they accuse, are emitting cancer-causing poisons into the streets of Beverly Hills.
Brockovich and Masry indicate they would soon take legal action on behalf of 80 cancer patients against Occidental Petroleum Corp, ChevronTexaco Corp and Venoco Inc. They allege that the companies are ignoring the leak of cancer-causing toxic gases from oil wells on the Beverly Hills High School grounds. Air samples on the school campus show that the carcinogens such as benzene and n-hexane, and poisonous methane gas, were seeping from at least one site.
Brockovich and Masry gained worldwide fame due to the film "Erin Brockovich,' which recorded their exploits against utility company Pacific Gas & Electric. They won a water contamination lawsuit and forced the utility giant to pay $333 million in damages to the town of Hinckley, California. Julia Roberts won a best actress Oscar for playing Brockovich in the movie.