Exposure to high levels of nitrates reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. For some, exposure can lead to decreased blood pressure, cramps, difficulty breathing and even death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
State environmental regulators announced in 2019 they had reached an agreement with Mountaire to resolve the years of environmental violations. The agreement — or consent decree — called on Mountaire to pay a fine that could reach more than $500,000, completely upgrade its wastewater treatment plant, monitor the groundwater for pollution, and provide impacted neighbors with access to clean drinking water.
As a settlement to the class action suit was being worked out, court documents filed Thursday claim Sussex County Superior Court Judge Craig Karsnitz issued an order on January 11, 2021, which included a notice and opt-out provision to the settlement.
