CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Hundreds of Carson residents have sued Shell Oil Co., claiming it contaminated a neighborhood with cancer-causing benzene and that at least four residents have died as a result.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Long Beach Superior Court on behalf of 343 residents, involves a tank farm that Shell operated in the Los Angeles suburb from 1924 to 1967.
The residents claim Shell knowingly contaminated the Carousel neighborhood. The lawsuit also names a real estate firm that bought out the developer of the housing tract.
Shell began testing in the neighborhood a few months ago. Preliminary results showed benzene levels up to 100,000 times the state standard.
Spokeswoman Alison Chassin says Shell hasn't seen the lawsuit, but adds the company hopes it won't delay continued testing.