Fight Continues for Sick Residents

Some North Little Rock residents say the Arkansas Department of Health has it all wrong--a nearby wood treatment plant is making them sick. Thursday, the Arkansas Department of Health released a joint report, done with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, on Koppers Industries. The report says the plant is no apparent health hazard to residents. But several residents in the Glenview Community and Poe Addition say their families have experienced tumors, cancers, and respiratory illnesses caused by the plant`s chemicals. "In `85 and `86, I`ve had lung collapses, total of 2," says Farris Wright, Glenview resident. Several years ago, many residents filed suit against the company, and later settled with Koppers paying out just over two million dollars. "My health is not for sale, money was not an issue, being compensated for my health. There needs to be some type of cleanup," says Shanna McCoy, Glenview resident. The Health Department says the study is available at the Laman Public Library in North Little Rock, but a supervisor says it hasn`t arrived yet. The report is up for public comment through September 30. A public review is tentatively set for September 23. These residents say their lawsuit may be over, but their fight is not. They plan to make their thoughts clear in hopes of changing the report before it`s finalized. Koppers Industries said in a release that they`re encouraged by the study. Officials say their employees are healthy, and the report just confirms the plant is not a health hazard.