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Neighbors say their ills belie Coronet report

By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
Published June 16, 2006

PLANT CITY - They aren't buying it.

Residents near the shuttered Coronet Industries phosphate plant told state officials Thursday their own illnesses dispute a recent state report that says Coronet's plant posed no health risk.

Last week the Florida Department of Health released a report that said its tests of soil, air and private drinking wells dating back to 2003 revealed that the contaminants found in the tests would not likely cause illness.

But residents suing Coronet showed up at the open house held by the state on the topic to dispute the report and seek answers.

"I'm concerned the community here is being misled,'' said Jim Ross, their Texas-based attorney, with a dozen residents at his side. "How can you say there's no risk ... when we have families that are sick, neighbors that are sick?''

Inside Springhead Elementary, Ross, the residents and a gaggle of reporters surrounded a state official. Ross pointed to a 1989 federal study by the Environmental Protection Agency that warned that groundwater contamination on the phosphate site was of "major concern.''

The EPA said heavy metals from the plant's processing likely had migrated into the groundwater and could affect more than 36,000 people drinking from private or municipal wells within 3 miles of the plant.

Yet 14 years passed before the state did its own study.

"Unfortunately, we don't have enough environmental data before 2003,'' said Randall Merchant, environmental administrator with the Florida Department of Health. Merchant said he could not explain why the EPA's study did not come to his agency's attention for almost 14 years. The state agency found the EPA's report three or four years ago after the community raised concerns about Coronet and asked for studies.

Coronet officials have said the 1989 federal study took place four years before it owned the property.

Part of the state's investigation in 2003 included the testing of air, 145 off-site wells and 40 soil samples, Merchant said.

Ross said he was not pleased with the state's answer. Another 18 months to two years might pass before the lawsuit goes to trial, he said.

Ross' firm is one of three representing more than 1,000 residents in a class-action lawsuit.

In March 2004, Coronet closed the plant, which had been there for 98 years, saying it was no longer profitable.

Residents said they were enraged and brought to tears when they heard about the state's report last week.

Coronet officials have said they recognize that residents have health problems but say no scientific link has been connected to the plant.

Residents think otherwise and want compensation.

Steve Lindsey, 52, said his son suffered inexplicable seizures as an infant, and his own mother died of lung disease though she never smoked. Patti Britt Walker, 46, said she has endured five strokes, neurological problems and a hysterectomy at the age of 24, yet doctors cannot tell her what is wrong.

"I want whoever is responsible to pay this community and do what's right,'' Walker said.

Saundra Amrhein can be reached at 813 661-2441 or amrhein@sptimes.com.

[Last modified June 16, 2006, 10:18:43]