Tech Shout!

The State Of New York has filed a lawsuit against a number of companies including IBM for allegedly damaging its natural resources.

The action includes a large number of plaintiffs including big names such as IBM, Avon Products, and Ford.

The suit said that IBM “was in the business of manufacturing and distributing business equipment at various locations, including a facility in Sterling Forest, New York. On information and belief, defendant IBM generated wastes which contained hazardous substances, it arranged for the disposal of wastes containing hazardous substances, and wastes containing hazardous substances generated by IBM were disposed at the site.”

The facts common to all claims, alleges New York, is that a site on a 96 acre property ion Ramapo, Rockland County, became a landfill site.

But the Ramapo River is classified as ‘A’ grade water, so is clean and drinkable but is around three hundred feet from the landfill site. Wells supplying potable water are located downstream from the site and within five hundred feet of the site, said New York.

Industrial sludge and other wastes were released into soil, surface water and groundwater. Those substances included arsenic, chromium, barium, lead, copper, cyanide, mercury, benzene, acetone and other dangerous substances.

After taking remedial steps in the 1990s, the State incurred expenses and will also have to spend more money. The State claims each defendant is “strictly, jointly and severally liable to the State for past response costs”. It further asserts that the defendants have failed to perform their duties and obligations related to the environment.

The State also wants restitution, and other damages.