McDonnell Sued Over Emissions

McDonnell Douglas Corp. facilities in the Southland are releasing hazardous levels of cancer-causing chemicals that pose “serious health risks” to hundreds of thousands of people, according to lawsuits filed this week by the state attorney general’s office.

The lawsuits seek to have McDonnell Douglas notify people living near its facilities of the potential health risks and to have the courts order the company to reduce its emissions of the chemicals.

“The public should know that they are (at) risk,” said Deputy Atty. Gen. Gail Ruderman Feuer, who filed the suits in Los Angeles and Orange County superior courts on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

A spokesman for McDonnell Douglas’ corporate offices could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but a spokesman at the Huntington Beach facility denied that the company was violating state air quality standards.

“We’ve been in compliance since 1985,” said spokesman Tom Williams. “Allegations of a threat to the health of hundreds of thousands of people is totally without merit.”