Workers’ Suit Says Hughes Hid Toxic Exposure

Six current and former employees of Hughes Aircraft Co. have filed a lawsuit against the aerospace company, claiming it concealed the presence of airborne toxic substances at the company’s Fullerton facility.

The plaintiffs allege that exposure to the substances caused headaches, pneumonia and chronic laryngitis. According to the suit, they worked together as buyers for Hughes in an office that shared a building with a department that manufactured circuit boards. They first complained of respiratory problems in January, 1993.

A spokesman for Hughes declined comment on the lawsuit.