Air pollution settlement will cost an average of $3,500 per household

Precision Castparts Corp. agreed to pay $22.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit accusing its southeast Portland, Oregon, metal casting plant of polluting nearby homes with toxic metals.

The settlement includes millions of dollars Precision Castparts has already spent improving emissions controls at its large parts campus, as well as $12.5 million in payments to nearby residents and their attorneys, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. .

Matthew Preusch, an attorney representing the neighbors, said it was the largest environmental class action settlement in Oregon history. He estimates that payments will average about $3,500 per household for people residing in the area in February 2016, the period specified in the dispute.

“This case has been a big part of both fixing emissions problems and hopefully deterring other polluters into thinking they can do it and get away with it,” Preusch said. .

Lawyers expect checks to start sending out this summer.

“The settlement allows PCC Structurals (the business unit named in the lawsuit) to resolve costly and long-term litigation,” Precision Castparts said in a written statement. “As always, we will remain in compliance with our aviation regulatory permits and continue to invest in robust emissions control technology as part of our commitment to the environment and our community.”

People eligible for the settlement live in areas where scientists found pollution in 2016m roughly concentrated around the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood of Portland.

The original lawsuit, filed by residents Brian and Alina Resendez in 2016, cited reports in The Oregonian/OregonLive about high levels of nickel in foam near the Precision Castparts plant. The lawsuit alleges that toxins found by US Forest Service researchers and state environmental regulators in nearby tree moss indicated that residents had been exposed to potentially harmful contaminants.

Precision Castparts manufactures large metal components for aircraft, electrical generators and other industrial products.

The pollution regulations require Precision Castparts to spend $7.7 million on emissions control and an additional $2 million on pollution control. The company spent the $7.7 million and that work is credited to the settlement.

Lawyers will seek up to one-third of a $12.5 million settlement fund, up to $4.2 million.

Residents and former residents can check their eligibility online and view case details at structuralssettlement.com. People seeking payment must file a claim form by April 9.