3M water pollution case set for early 2019 trial date.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A federal lawsuit involving chemical contamination in the Tennessee River near a city in Alabama will go to trial in 2019.
Al.com reports that Judge Abdul K. Kallon scheduled a pretrial conference for Jan. 23, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Tennessee Riverkeeper filed a lawsuit alleges synthetic chemicals manufactured by 3M at its plant in Decatur have been entering the Tennessee River for decades.
The environmental group also alleges that chemicals pose a threat to human health and the environment.
Monetary damages are not being sought in the suit from 3M or other defendants in the case.
3M has argued that the substances are not harmful at levels typically found in the environment.
Company officials say it is in compliance with regulations from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and counsel for 3M.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a health advisory in 2016 that the substances could be harmful to humans at lower concentrations than previously believed.