2005 News
State EPA’s methods flawed, Lanxess says
ADDYSTON -- "Lanxess said the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency used faulty science to conclude that air pollution around the plant, located about 12 miles west of Cincinnati, posed an unacceptable cancer risk to residents. An appeal filed by the company in Columbus also argues that the state lacks the authority to order Lanxess to reduce it. 'They overstated the risk and they overstepped their bounds,' said Alexander 'Sandy' Marshall, Lanxess plant manager... Marshall said the company still plans to spend the $2.5 million to reduce leaks at the plant. He said the company’s appeal is focused solely on the EPA’s methods and its conclusions," Spencer Hunt, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
ADDYSTON -- Plastic maker fights cancer risk findings, "'What we really take exception to is the fact that we were working on these things when OEPA came in and ordered us to do them,' plant manager Sandy Marshall said," Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
ADDYSTON -- Plastics plant disputes health concerns over chemical emissions, Akron Beacon Journal.
ADDYSTON -- "An Addyston plant at the center of an air quality controversy says it's taking the public's concerns seriously. Lanxess Chemical Company wrote an open letter to the public in Thursday's Enquirer. In the letter, Lanxess maintains it's taking the appropriate measures to ensure no dangerous chemicals are released from the plant on U.S. 50. Earlier this month the EPA closed Hitchens Elementary School across the street from the plant after finding high levels of chemicals in the air," Mark Sickmiller, WCPO.
CINCINNATI -- "Ohio wheezingly leads the nation in neighborhoods with the most health risks from industrial air pollution - 26 out of the worst 200 nationwide. Kentucky ranks 12th worst. As if to prove the point in Ohio, Meredith Hitchens Elementary School in Addyston just downriver from Cincinnati had to be closed last week because of dangerous air. Ohio EPA determined that Addyston residents faced a 50 times greater risk of cancer from chemicals released from Lanxess' giant plastics plant directly across the street from the school. But the experts still say they lack definitive studies of short-term and long-term effects from many chemicals belched out of industrial plants," editorial, Cincinnati Enquirer.
ADDYSTON -- "A Cincinnati area elementary school has temporarily closed due to toxic emissions from a nearby plastics plant," Cheri Lawson, WMUB.
Addyston chemical plant closes school
ADDYSTON
-- "On Monday, Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune said he's
upset that local officials didn't take action earlier, when they knew about
the problem. He says, instead, officials waited until the state took action.
Last week, air monitoring machines on a nearby school indicated dangerous
levels of two hazardous chemicals. Officials said the chemicals would only
cause health risks if people were exposed for 30-70 years," Bill Price,
WCPO. ADDYSTON -- Portune upset with Lanxess monitoring, Kimball Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer.
200 attend Addyston meeting on plant's emissions
ADDYSTON -- "Lanxess plant manager Sandy Marshall outlined the steps the company has taken, and is in the process of taking, to try to reduce emissions. The company is investing $1.3 million in a computer system that will help eliminate accidental releases, like the three that happened between October 2004 and February, which spewed thousands of pounds of toxic chemicals into the air. Another $1 million is earmarked to improve the plant's flare system - an investment that he said should eliminate the fumes OEPA is concerned about. The three accidental releases prompted Ohio Citizen Action to start a publicity campaign against the company, which eventually led to the OEPA air study. 'By us going beyond the (legal requirements), we hope we can get your trust back,'" Marshall said," Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
ADDYSTON
-- "'This plant has a been there for 52-years, where has the Ohio EPA
been for 52-years?,' asked one concerned citizen. Addyston Mayor Dan Pillow
was the first to bring his frustrations into the open. Arguing that the
Ohio EPA should have been testing air around the Lanxess plant long before
now, and now that information has been gathered, the EPA should have told
village officials first. 'We got hit with a bombshell and we got all this
different type of information,' said Addyston's mayor," Becky Fremal,
WCPO. Qustions to ask about the Hitchens school closing
ADDYSTON
-- "The air monitoring at Hitchens was set up as a response to the
Lanxess "good neighbor campaign" conducted by Ohio Citizen Action
and the Westside Action Group since July 2004. Throughout the campaign,
parents and residents have been asking questions about the safety of the
children at the elementary school, and many have urged that the school be
closed permanently. Ohio EPA will be in Addyston on Saturday, December
10 at 9 am at a public meeting to talk about their report. Members of
the school board and administrators will also be at the meeting, which,
ironically, is being held at Hitchens," Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen
Action.ADDYSTON -- Addyston cancer rates to be studied, State cluster review comes after Lanxess findings, Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
ADDYSTON
-- "The Three Rivers Local School District decided to move all 387
Meredith Hitchens preschoolers, kindergartners and first-graders to other
schools today after the EPA on Monday said pollution from the nearby Lanxess
plastics factory poses a cancer risk to long-term residents. The agency,
which plans to check pollution levels inside the school’s classrooms
within the next two weeks, estimates that one in every 2,000 people who
lives or had lived in the area for 30 to 70 years has a higher cancer risk,"
Spencer Hunt, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.ADDYSTON -- School closing in Addyston 'sorrowful' Proud staff packs up as Ohio EPA monitors air at plastics plant, Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
ADDYSTON -- "An elementary
school in a small town on the Ohio River, just west of Cincinnati, is closed
today after the state confirmed that the air is polluted with toxic chemicals...
'We take our responsibilities very seriously, to make sure that the plant
is safe for our employees and the surrounding area,' (plant manager Sandy)
Marshall said. 'We announced $2.5 million in improvements before we were
asked.' The improvements were announced after complaints from an organized
group of residents backed by Ohio Citizen Action, an environmental
group. Ruth Breech, Citizen Action’s Cincinnati-area program director,
said she and other area residents thought Lanxess was working to solve its
problems before the EPA made its announcement. Residents’ 'intuition
was saying that something was wrong here,' Breech said. 'There were no eloquent
numbers or science behind it, but they already knew it,'" Spencer Hunt,
Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.ADDYSTON -- Cancer risk closes Addyston school, Dan Klepal and Denise Smith Amos, Cincinnati Enquirer.
ADDYSTON -- School Near Controversial Chemical Plant Closes, Jay Warren, WCPO.
Plans end Ohio Citizen Action public pressure campaign
ADDYSTON
-- "The Lanxess plant in Addyston has announced plans to invest $1
million to further reduce air emissions by 2006. The project will focus
on improving the plant's flare, which controls emissions of butadiene, one
of the three main chemicals used at the plant. This project is part of a
new initiative by the company to 'go beyond compliance' in improving its
environmental performance... As a result of this announcement, Ohio Citizen
Action ended the public pressure of its 'good neighbor' campaign. OCA
has targeted the plant since July 2004, directing thousands of citizens
all across Ohio to write letters to the plant manager. The group will continue
to work with the plant and monitor progress," Lanxess Public Advisory
Group. 171KB pdf.ADDYSTON -- "The Bush Administration wants to ease regulations requiring businesses to disclose the chemicals they use. Something about 'too much paperwork.' As Eric Niiler reports, some members of an Ohio River community beg to differ," Eric Niiler, Marketplace, American Public Media. (4 minutes, 23 seconds)
Transcript
Residents split on Hitchens
ADDYSTON -- "An overflow crowd of parents and community residents debated whether to close Meredith Hitchens, an elementary in the Three Rivers School District that is across the street from a chemical plant... At least one parent choked back tears as she described how she loves Meredith Hitchens, which has about 365 children in prekindergarten through first grade, but is worried about accidental chemical emissions from the Lanxess Corp. plant," Denise Smith Amos, Cincinnati Enquirer.
Some parents eager to shutter Hitchens
MIAMI TOWNSHIP -- "The monitor atop Hitchens, installed in May, has recorded an average butadiene level at 3.5 parts per billion - about eight times what's been recorded in other areas around Cincinnati but far below levels of immediate danger... A second monitor is set to alert authorities if chemical concentrations reach 10 parts per million - or 10,000 parts per billion. At that emergency level, an adult would feel watering of the eyes and a sore throat after an hour's exposure, Kramer said. ' I think the school is awesome,' said Diana Osborne, a Hitchens parent who lives in Cleves. 'But when my little girl comes home and says, 'Mom, it smelled in my room today,' that concerns me,'" Denise Smith Amos, Cincinnati Enquirer.
Oct 16:
Bucket brigades celebrate
Effort to fight air pollution began its work
10 years ago
CINCINNATI -- "Earlier this year, a group of concerned citizens started
using the buckets to make a case against Lanxess Corp., an Addyston plastic
maker that had a series of chemical releases. The data from the buckets
helped prove pollution concerns went beyond the occasional accidental
leak. The routine, daily emissions from the plant also contained levels
of toxins that people said were making them sick. Lanxess announced last
month that it will invest $1 million in pollution control equipment in
the plant. Ruth Breech, southwest organizer for Ohio Citizen Action,
which led the public campaign against Lanxess, said the weekend has been
an inspiration. 'This is just an incredible group of people committed
to cleaning up neighborhoods," she said,'" Dan Klepal, Cincinnati
Enquirer.
ADDYSTON -- "Lanxess Corp., a manufacturer of synthetic rubber and plastics, is investing $1 million in equipment to help it control the release of toxic fumes from its plant here. Those investments have led Ohio Citizen Action to suspend its campaign against the plant. Southwest Ohio coordinator Ruth Breech said a change in plant management showed her the company was serious about changes. 'We asked them to show leadership, and that's exactly what they've done,' Breech said. Marshall said the company will continue meeting with citizens and public officials. 'Certainly, we're happy Ohio Citizen Action has taken this approach. We see it as recognition of the things we've done,' Marshall said. 'We need to make sure we implement everything we've promised,'" Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
ADDYSTON -- "An Addyston chemical plant has announced yet another big investment to improve air quality... As a result, the group Ohio Citizen Action is calling off its campaign against the plant, saying it's accomplished its goals... 'The investments are going on ove rthe next year. The being pashed part will be done the first part of next year. The last million dollar investment project won't be complete for up to one year from now. This is part of our ongoing program to reduce our impact on the environment and continue to work to be a good neighbor,' said Sandy Marshall, Lanxess Site Manager," Hagit Lamor, WCPO.
Oct 3:
Citizen Action
ADDYSTON -- "The
Lanxess Corp. announced plans to spend $1 million to upgrade environmental
controls at the plastics plant it operates just off U.S. 50 in Addyston.
This on top of previous announcements of plans by the German-owned firm
to spend $1.3 million on new manufacturing process controls and $130,000
to reduce odor from the plant. The story behind the story is that Ohio
Citizen Action, a statewide organization whose interests include environmental
protection, had for 15 months been conducting a door-to-door campaign
triggered by complaints that the plant was periodically releasing butadiene
and other chemicals," editorial, Robert White, Cincinnati Post.
Sep 26:
Lanxess plant manager commits $1 million to prevent butadiene emissions
ADDYSTON -- "In a direct response to Ohio Citizen
Action's good neighbor campaign, Lanxess Plant Manager Sandy Marshall
announced on Thursday that Lanxess will invest $1 million to reduce butadiene
emissions that go into the air. Butadiene, a cancer-causing chemical,
is one of Lanxess' chief raw materials. Citizens have regularly found
butadiene in air samples taken near the plant. Marshall also told the
Lanxess Public Advisory Group on Thursday evening that the plant will
make a series of changes designed to reduce the number of accidents, and
that the company will call on external experts to evaluate its performance.
Ann Mocke, Northbend resident and a leader of the Westside Action Group,
commented, 'this is a good starting point. This isn't the end of the work,
this is the beginning.' Neighbors will continue to work with the plant
to verify that the company meets its commitments. In recognition of Lanxess'
decisions to work with the community in good faith, Ohio Citizen Action
is suspending the public pressure of our good neighbor campaign,"
Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action.
Lanxess press
release
Sep 24:
$1M upgrade for Addyston plant
ADDYSTON --
"Lanxess Corp. plans to invest another $1 million at its plastic
resins plant in Addyston as part of an environmental performance initiative
announced this week. The commitment is intended to surpass current compliance
standards, improve air quality, and upgrade communications with the Addyston
community, the company said in a statement. Ohio Citizen Action, an environmental
activist group that has been waging a door-to-door campaign for the past
15 months calling for changes at Lanxess, ended that campaign on Friday
as a result of the company's actions this week. Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen
Action's local spokeswoman, said Lanxess has committed to do what the
group has been calling for, which is to focus on accident prevention to
keep harmful chemicals out of the air. 'They've responded, and they've
responded well,' Breech said. 'This is the most significant action they've
taken to date,'" Jon Newberry, Cincinnati Post.
Sep 19:
Plant manager leaves community hanging
Neighbors still waiting for answers
ADDYSTON -- "Neighbors of the Lanxess plastics plant met with new
plant manager Sandy Marshall on Wednesday, September 14. Neighbors continued
to ask questions about chemical releases and odors. Since Marshall took
over the Lanxess plant on July 14, neighbors have registered complaints
with the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services about eleven
separate incidents of chemical odors. Neighbors agreed that the odors
have increased in the last two weeks. Lynn Bowman, Addyston resident,
commented, 'I've probably smelled chemical odors ten out of the past fourteen
days.' Lanxess has also had seven accidents releasing 179 lbs. of toxic
chemical waste into the air since July 14. Sick neighbors want to know
when the chemical releases and odors will stop," Ruth Breech, Ohio
Citizen Action.
ADDYSTON -- "Addyston had a malfunction on 9/2/05 at 6:46 am on the main duct air
pollution control system. It appears a meter that measures organics inside the duct malfunctioned and vented the main duct to the atmosphere. The process safety equipment immediately shut down building 10's process. The investigation, corrective action, and repair took 41 minutes and the main duct was back on line. An estimated 84 lbs of VOC emissions were released to the atmosphere (53 lbs styrene, 30 lbs acrylonitrile, and 1 butadiene). Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services, the Mayor of Addyston, and Hitchens school were notified. The incident is being investigated. If there are questions contact Duane Day at 513-467-2217," Lanxess Public Advisory Group.
PITTSBURGH, PA -- "The chief executive of Lanxess AG touted the new chemical company's initial success -- an 11 percent increase in second-quarter sales, a 40 percent jump in pre-tax profits and a higher stock price -- during a visit yesterday to its North American headquarters in suburban Findlay. But Axel Claus Heitmann said he would not ease up on his drive to improve the results of the Germany-based global enterprise that was spun out of Germany's Bayer in January and formed mainly around inherited low-growth and low-margin businesses... 'All in all, it has been a great success getting out of Bayer, building a new brand and a new identity, a new culture,' Heitmann said in an interview before addressing the local staff. 'I'm very pleased to say we are doing well. We are already making significant progress,' but, 'Lanxess still has a long way to go,'" Jim McKay, Post-Gazette.
ADDYSTON -- "Lanxess Corp. is closing three U.S. manufacturing plants as part of a global restructuring, but the consolidation hasn't affected its Addyston plastics plant so far, the company said...Lanxess last month announced top-level management changes and a $1.3 million investment in new process controls in Addyston. It has also recently completed a wastewater treatment project intended to reduce odors from the plant along the Ohio River, it said. Lanxess's operations in Addyston came under fire earlier this year from Ohio Citizen Action, an environmental activist group, which complained about plant emissions and odors. It had called for new management at the facility," Jon Newbury, Cincinnati Post.
ADDYSTON -- "A dozen neighbors of Lanxess plastics met with Sandy Marshall, the new plant manager on August 16. Neighbors discussed the community standard that they have set, and explained to Marshall what it is like living across from a chemical plant. Neighbors are asking the plant to prevent emissions of chemicals that cause cancer, meet community standards, establish a working relationship with the community to open lines of communication in the event of future problems, and make permanent changes at its facility. 'Being able to sit on our porch and smell the grass or the rose bushes or whatever…that's all we want and that's what we're asking for,' said Lynn Bowman, a Lanxess neighbor," Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action.
ADDYSTON -- "A break in a line
at the Lanxess Plastics Plant in Addyston yesterday caused a spill of 225
pounds of bleach into a gravel area at the plant. Sandy Marshall, the new
plant manager, notified Ohio Citizen Action and the public advisory group.
Marshall said an investigation is underway to determine what caused the
line to break. This accident is evidence that Lanxess' new management has
their work cut out for them: it's time to take a whole new approach to safety
and accident prevention," Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action.
Steps to thwart more releases of toxic gases at plastics operation
ADDYSTON -- "Lanxess Corp. is making improvements at its plastics manufacturing plant aiming to prevent future toxic gas releases. The company had three toxic releases since October 2004. Although no one was sickened in the accidents, thousands of pounds of chemicals - some thought by state and federal health officials to be cancer-causing - were released into the atmosphere...The company also announced new management at the plant. That's something that Ohio Citizen Action and many residents who live near the plant have been asking for. Ruth Breech, Southwest coordinator for Ohio Citizen Action, said she is 'cautiously optimistic. It definitely shows they're ready to put the personnel and money into this plant,' Breech said. 'That's really good for the company and the community. We're on our way,'" Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
ADDYSTON -- Lanxess spending $1.5M on pollution control, Cincinnati Business Courier.
ADDYSTON -- "There was some shocking news at a local chemical plant on Thursday. The top managers are being replaced...The environmental group Ohio Citizen Action called for these resignations. But the company's senior vice president says that's not what led to the moves. Still he acknowledged the company's commitment to neighbors. 'As a plant you are living in the community and you're living with a community, and we'll do everything to further develop the relationship with the community, and I'm pretty sure the new management will pick up the path which was set by the previous management to hopefully develop it even further,' said Dr. Hans-Joachim Kogelnik, the Lanxess Senior Vice President. Ohio Citizen Action tells us neighbors welcome this move, viewing it as a positive step, and that they're 'ready to move forward together to resolve the issues at the plant,'" Hagit Lamor, WCPO.
ADDYSTON -- Lanxess takes steps to restructure, news release, Lanxess Corporation, 315 kb doc.
ADDYSTON
-- "In a I-Team report aired in May it was reported that Lanxess, a chemical
company in Addyston, had three major releases last year and again early
this year. Now a spokesperson tells the I-Team that the company is about
to announce a new improvement project that should prevent the problem that
led to one of those releases. It's a major investment, he says, that will
replace manual technology with a computerized system. Also in May the I-Team
reported that Lanxess was about to put on-line a new odor control system.
It went on-line in June and the citizens action group that has been monitoring
Lanxess says the sewage/rotten egg odor has decreased -- though some of
the odors are still around, especially during the middle of the night,"
Hagit Lamor, WCPO.Questions for the Three Rivers Schools' administration and board
ADDYSTON -- "As voters consider the levy on August 2, 2005, you have the right to know the answers to these questions. Why didn't the school board and administration tell all the parents why the water was turned off at Meredith Hitchens Elementary School this spring? Why was the water turned off? Who, including both public officials and others, was involved in the discussions leading to the decision to shut the water off? Why did school board and administration threaten truancy to a mother who is concerned about the health and safety of her children at Meredith Hitchens? Why did you refuse transfers? Under what circumstances would you decide to keep Hitchens open? How are you determining that Hitchens should be open for 2005-2006? How did you document health complaints from children in 2004-2005? , Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action.
- Answers will be posted as soon as they are received from Three Rivers Schools' administration and board. The next school board meeting is Monday, July 11 at 7:30p.m., Taylor High School.
ADDYSTON -- "My name is Dan Pillow. I am the Mayor of the Village of Addyston. I am writing you on behalf of the undersigned Council Members who are the official representatives of the Village. I am sure that you are abreast of the on going controversy as the health and safety of our citizens as it pertains to your Addyston facility. As you know this plant has operated in our Village for some fifty (50) years. I can assure you beyond any doubt that across the board things are much better now than they have ever been and are getting better. They are a good neighbor," Addyston Mayor Dan Pillow and three of five Councilmembers, letter to Axel Claus Heitmann, CEO, Lanxess Corporation, June 13, 2005.
- We're sure that Mayor Pillow did not mean to imply that the two Councilmembers who refused to sign the letter were not also official representatives of the Village.
ADDYSTON -- Working to address community concerns, flyer, Lanxess Corporation.
The Southwest Ohio Citizen Action staff: Front row -- Toni Brock, Brandon Koebbe, Liz Floydd, Sarah Grutza. Table -- Ruth Breech, Alison Bake, Mariel Frankl, Hannah Sayre. Back row: Crystal Cottrill, Vanessa Kruse, Erin Teslie, Drew Chestnut, Laura Hornsby, Nate McNeil, Danny Berchenko, Daniel Kirllov, Dianna Strassburg, Rachael Belz, Heather Sayre.
ADDYSTON -- "My aunt lives by your company and every time I go down to her house I have to smell your building. Boy, do I feel sorry for the people who live down there," Lindsay, Cincinnati area resident.
County says gas releases could result in $25K fines
ADDYSTON -- "Hamilton County has put Lanxess Corp. on notice that two recent releases of toxic gases have violated state nuisance rules, a finding that could result in fines of up to $25,000 per incident against the plastic maker. Many concerned residents have been working with company officials for the past year to resolve what they say are persistent odors in the neighborhood that often lead to headaches, watery eyes and sore throats. Most recently, the citizens - along with officials with Ohio Citizen Action - have asked the company to buy a $35,000 real-time air monitor that will constantly take samples. Hamilton County recently installed an air monitor atop a nearby elementary school, but that device takes samples only every six days. Ruth Breech, a regional coordinator for Ohio Citizen Action, said she believes the company deserves a fine," Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
ADDYSTON -- "An environmental group is calling on an Addyston plastics plant to change management and curb emissions to better protect neighbors, including a nearby elementary school, from what the group claims is noxious fallout. Ohio Citizen Action said it tested air around Meredith Hitchens Elementary School May 14 because of community complaints about emissions from the Lanxess Plastics plant, across U.S. 50 and about 1,500 feet from the school. The group said the level of one toxic -- butadiene -- exceeded what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers safe," Molly Linn, Cincinnati Post.
ADDYSTON -- Plastic maker questions monitor test, Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
Jun 7: Air
monitor near elementary school finds high levels of toxic chemicals from
Lanxess
ADDYSTON -- "Ohio Citizen Action today released results from real-time
monitoring samples taken on May 14 in front of Meredith Hitchens Elementary
School, across the street from Lanxess Plastics. The monitoring found
high levels of the toxic chemical 1, 3 butadiene, a chemical routinely
released by Lanxess Plastics, in the air. Ruth Breech, Southwest Ohio
Program Director for Ohio Citizen Action said, 'Neighbors have said all
along that they believe these chemical emissions are crossing the fenceline
at potentially dangerous levels, and now we have proof. If we could find
these levels of chemicals in the air in a one-hour sample taken on a random
day, these results raise important questions about the amounts of toxic
chemicals that this plant is releasing every day,'" press release, Ohio
Citizen Action.
- air sample chart, 103 kb .pdf
Real-time air monitoring results to be released
| Who: | Press conference with Westside neighbors, Ohio Citizen Action |
| When: | 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2005 |
| Where: | In front of VFW Hall, Main Street, Addyston |
| What: | Results of real-time air monitoring at Lanxess Plastics fenceline |
Hilton Kelley of the National Bucket Brigade Coalition brought a CEREX "Hound" real time air monitor to Cincinnati on Saturday, May 14, and monitored the air across the street from Lanxess Plastics. Mr. Kelley's trip to Ohio from Texas was sponsored by Ohio Citizen Action. The CEREX monitoring tests found levels of toxic chemicals in the air at significantly higher levels than had been detected by other sampling equipment. The results have been quality-controlled and analyzed and will be released at the press conference. The CEREX equipment is more sensitive and advanced than equipment currently used by the city, county, or Ohio EPA," press advisory, Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action, (513) 221-2100.
Jun 3: Majority
of Addyston residents call for replacing Lanxess plant manager
ADDYSTON
-- "Fifty-four percent of the adult residents of Addyston, (425 of the
792 adults registered in the 2000 U.S. Census) have signed a petition
calling on Lanxess CEO Axel Heitmann to replace the local plant management.
The petition said: 'Lanxess has not made necessary changes in its operations
to prevent accidents and increase safety. It is time for the company to
take badly needed action by replacing the present management with leaders
who will solve these problems. The Lanxess Corporation must provide this
new management with the necessary financial resources to run a safe, accident-free
facility and restore good faith with its neighbors.' Two hundred and forty-seven
residents in North Bend and Cleves also signed the petitions,
which have been mailed to Heitmann at Lanxess headquarters in Leverkusen,
Germany," (21 KB doc), Ohio Citizen Action.
KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA -- Pipelines to be replaced in polluted area. "The replacement of domestic water pipelines by the eThekwini municipality follows mounting concern among residents that the city and German multinational Bayer/Lanxess have kept them in the dark about the full risks to their health. This followed the discovery of extensive chemical contamination of soil and groundwater around the Bayer group factory in Tomango Road," Tony Carnie, KwaZulu-Natal Mercury.
Jun 1: Commissioner
Calls For New Monitors
ADDYSTON -- "A Hamilton County commissioner is calling on a local
chemical plant to take more action to protect residents. Todd Portune
says the county and the state -- and the plant -- haven't done enough
to protect neighbors from potential health risks. Portune wants new air
monitors around the plant -- the kind that gives results immediately --
and he wants Lanxess to pay for them. Until now the data the Ohio EPA
and the county environmental services have used has come from Lanxess.
The plant had three major releases of chemicals in the air this fall through
this spring. After our first report we showed you as the county installing
a new monitor at the elementary school across the street from the plant.
But results from that monitor take two weeks to come in. [Todd Portune]:
'I don't think that's adequate at all. To read something two weeks down
the road does nobody any good,'" Hagit Limor, WCPO Cincinnati.
Lanxess routine odors and emissions out of control
ADDYSTON -- "So far, neighbors of Lanxess plant have documented 15 odor complaints in Addyston and surrounding communities in the month of May. These include eleven complaints of a strange chemical odor that causes headaches, eye, nose and throat irritation. Residents took air samples on two of the days in May when odors from the plant were particularly bad. A SUMMA air canister sample taken on May 6, 2005 showed 85 parts-per-billion of butadiene in the air. Neighbors are awaiting results from a SUMMA air sample and the official report for the CEREX real time air monitor taken on May 14," Ruth Breech, Southwest Ohio Program Director, Ohio Citizen Action.
ADDYSTON
-- "The three chemical releases from plastic maker Lanxess Inc. over six
months did not pose a significant health risk to nearby residents, according
to a study by the Ohio Department of Health. The study based its findings
on computer modeling, and found that only a Dec. 15 release of acrylonitrile
rose to the level of potentially causing headaches, sore throat or watery
eyes. Acrylonitrile is considered an "extremely hazardous substance"
and a potential cancer-causing agent by the Department of Health. Ruth Breech,
southwest coordinator for Ohio Citizen Action, said the study is suspect
because all of the data came from the company," Dan Klepal, Cincinnati
Enquirer.ADDYSTON -- May 23: Chemical Plant Update, Hagit Limor, WCPO Cincinnati.
Hilton Kelley shows how the air monitor displays results. Photo by Kathy Blandford.
ADDYSTON -- "Community leader Hilton Kelley from Port Arthur, Texas, brought a state-of-the-art air pollution monitor to Addyston, Ohio, to test the air near the Lanxess Plastics plant. On Saturday morning, May 14, the monitor found a consistent level of 1,3 butadiene, nitrogen oxide and toluene. The EPA-certified monitor, called the CEREX UV Hound, was designed at MIT and manufactured by Cerex Environmental Services in Atlanta. Neither Lanxess nor the Ohio EPA have anything comparable. Hilton Kelley is Executive Director of Community In-power and Development Association (CIDA) in Port Arthur, Field Coordinator of the Refinery Reform Campaign and Chairperson of the National Bucket Brigade Coalition," Ohio Citizen Action.
ADDYSTON -- "Neighbors of the Lanxess Plastics Plant in Addyston have long suspected that the odors coming from the plant don't only constitute a nuisance, but may also signal the release of chemicals that can be harmful to human health. Three weeks ago, neighbors took matters into their own hands and tested air emissions coming from the plant during an evening where the odors were strong. The results of these tests show that the neighbors were right: toxic chemicals, regularly released by the Lanxess Plant, were present in the air directly across the street from the plant," Ruth Breech, Southwest Ohio Program Director, Ohio Citizen Action.
- 1,3-Butadiene fact sheet, U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Lanxess Corp. says it's cutting workers, but ax might fall mainly in Europe
ADDYSTON
-- "The German parent of Addyston's largest employer announced a major restructuring
in late April. Lanxess Corp. wants to eliminate up to 1,200 jobs worldwide,
roughly 6 percent of its total work force. Addyston is the North American
headquarters of Lanxess' styrenics division. The company's U.S. headquarters
is in Pittsburgh. A spokesman there said the restructuring is 'focused on
Europe,' but couldn't say whether a plant closing there would lead to production
changes in Addyston. Lanxess' styrenics unit has a big presence locally,
generating more than $300,000 in annual income-tax revenue for the village
of Addyston. The plant has reduced employment by more than 150 in the last
six years and now employs 418, according to records maintained by the Hamilton
County Economic Development Co. HCDC administers a 10-year tax abatement
deal with the plant that started in 1998," Dan Monk, Cincinnati Business
Courier.  |
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Bill Kaldy (left) and Seth Clouran, who work for Hamilton County, install an air monitor on the roof of Meredith Hitchens Elementary School in Addyston. The Lanxess plant is across the street (Photo by Tony Tribble).
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Softball next to Lanxess in Addyston
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Neighbor: 'This is unacceptable in our community.'
Jay Richey: 'We will work with you to resolve the problems.'
Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action: 'You guys have said that before.'
Neighbor: 'I’ve heard an awful lot about these equipment malfunctions. I have an '84 Chevy that breaks down less than this,'" Hagit Limor, WCPO TV-9 Cincinnati, transcript, video, photos, editorials by Ohio Citizen Action and Lanxess.
CINCINNATI -- "Most of us know in recent months Lanxess has come under extreme scrutiny regarding environmental emissions as a result of a group called Ohio Citizens Action. I appreciate the fact that they have taken a look and told us what they've found. Though sometimes smelly, though sometimes noisy, though sometimes a little ominous, we have coexisted for nearly 50 years...Do they have problems? Yes they do. Yes they have had and, yes, they will have. It is inherent in any industry where man and machine are involved that accidents occur," editorial, Dan Pillow, Western Hills Press.
Coming up Wednesday at 11:00 PM
CINCINNATI -- "Hagit Limor takes you inside a chemical plant...right across the street from an elementary school! Neighbors are worried after three major releases since October plus dozens of other permit violations. What does the plant have to say? And what is the county -- which is supposed to protect you -- doing about this?" promo, WCPO TV-9 Cincinnati.
Clean air rule not enforceable
CINCINNATI -- "The two chemical plants that generate the most complaints under Cincinnati's year-old air quality ordinance aren't actually within the city limits, local environmental regulators said Monday. The jurisdictional lines make it all but impossible for the city to enforce its clean air ordinance against Cognis Corp., which has operations in St. Bernard, and the Lanxess plant in Addyston, officials said. 'One of the biggest challenges that we have is the geographical borders - city, county or state lines. Pollution doesn't know those boundaries,' said Ruth Breech, southwest Ohio program director for the environmental group Ohio Citizen Action. At Lanxess, the Addyston plant formerly operated under the Monsanto and Bayer banners, the emissions may be more hazardous. Ohio Citizen Action has collected air samples that went to a California lab last Wednesday, and the Department of Environmental Services put the company on notice April 8 that it violates state air pollution laws in three incidents since October," Gregory Korte, Cincinnati Enquirer.
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY -- Lanxess reports reduced loss in 2004. "Chemical company Lanxess AG announced Tuesday that it narrowed its net loss last year and said it was preparing a restructuring drive that might include up to 1,200 job cuts. . . Board Chairman Axel Heitmann said in a statement. 'This situation compels us to make fundamental changes in order to safeguard Lanxess' long-term competitiveness.' He singled out the company's fine chemicals and styrenic resins units and said that as many as 1,200 jobs could be eliminated at a savings of at least 100 million euros ($129.66 million). Lanxess currently employs some 20,000 people. The company said it was examining whether to concentrate production of its styrenic resins at one plant, possibly closing either a plant in Dormagen, Germany, or Tarragona, Spain. A decision is expected by June," Associated Press.
- Heitmann's exact words were as follows: "The solution for LANXESS is to concentrate its European styrenics volume in one place -– either Dormagen or Tarragona. That’s why we are currently making a final analysis of both sites. The results are not yet in, but one thing is certain: only one site can survive. Our aim is to take a final decision as soon as possible. We would like to do this in the second quarter, preferably in May." He did not comment on styrene operations in the United States, which includes the Addyston plant.
Lanxess odors persist
ADDYSTON -- "Neighbors of Lanxess Plastics are keeping pollution logs, documenting odors and pollution at Lanxess. In the month of March, neighbors reported odors coming from the plant on 16 different days, including an odor in the early morning hours of March 18. This chemical odor woke one Sayler Park resident in the middle of the night. When the resident went outside to investigate the smell, she commented that the odor was so strong that it 'strangled' her breathing. There have already been seven odor complaints in April 2005. Neighbors have noticed an increase in chemical and burnt plastic smells in the area. Although Lanxess decided to work on the sewage smell coming from their wastewater treatment plant, neighbors agree that it's the chemical smells, not the sewer smells that burn their eyes and noses that they're worried about," Ruth Breech, Southwest Ohio Program Director, Ohio Citizen Action.ADDYSTON -- Preventative maintenance and malfunction abatement plan, Lanxess Plastics
Meredith Hitchens Elementary School is across the street from Lanxess Plastics in Addyston.
CINCINNATI -- "Hamilton County's Department of Environmental Services put an Addyston plastics maker on notice Friday that it violated state air pollution laws when it released thousands of pounds of suspected cancer-causing gases in three separate incidents since October. The letter requires Lanxess Corp. to submit a plan by April 18 that will ensure there are no more accidents at the plant. . . Ruth Breech, Southwest Program Director for Ohio Citizen Action, applauded the memo and said the releases have to stop. 'There absolutely has to be accountability,' Breech said. 'I don't know if fines are the best way to make that happen. But if that's what it takes to get (company officials) to wake up and say this can't happen anymore, then that's what should happen,'" Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
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Dr. Axel Claus Heitmann, CEO, Lanxess
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It's best to use your own words, of course. Here's a sample to get you started:
Dear Dr. Heitmann:
The Lanxess plant in Addyston, Ohio has had three major accidents releasing acrylonitrile and butadiene since October 2004, and 105 additional accidents reported in 2004. The plant is directly across the street from an elementary school. Neighbors want answers and action now.
Lanxess needs to (1) Replace the plant manager in Addyston. (2) Make all necessary changes to stop odors and air pollution from getting out into the community. (3) Agree with the community to allow independent experts to recommend and monitor safety changes at this plant.
Please contact me to let me know what Lanxess is doing to take care of these problems. I look forward to your response.
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Some of the 100 Lanxess neighbors who crowded Tuesday's meeting
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ADDYSTON -- "On Dec 2, the local plant manager told the community that the accident in October was not acceptable and that the plant would change its ways. Two huge accidents and four months later, the company has still not corrected these problems. In any other company at this point, the plant manager would have already been fired and replaced," Ruth Breech, Southwest Ohio Program Director, Ohio Citizen Action, guest column, Western Hills Press.
MORE ON LANXESS PLASTICS
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Jay Richey, Vice President and General Manager, Lanxess North America
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A decade of accidents in Addyston
ADDYSTON -- "Lanxess
Plastics in Addyston has had three large accidents in the past four months:
one in October 2004, one in December 2004, and one in February 2005. Unfortunately,
these accidents are not isolated incidents, but rather a display of chronic
behavior dating back to at least 1996 when Bayer bought the plant from Monsanto.
In 2004 alone, Lanxess reported 107
accidents. These recurring accidents caused the release of 3,932.36
lbs of toxic chemicals into the air and 79 gallons of untreated waste into
Ohio River. These releases are in addition to the plant's "routine"
toxic chemical emissions," Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action.ADDYSTON -- "Plastics maker Lanxess released about 370 pounds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) last month in two separate accidents. On March 9, 270 pounds of VOCs were released into the atmosphere over five hours. Four days later, an additional 99 pounds of the gas were released. Lanxess officials say the releases were "inconsequential" and that they were not required to report them to the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services. The company did report the equipment malfunctions that led to the releases. Neighbors of the plant have been meeting with company officials for months to improve communication when accidents happen. The company has had three major releases of suspected cancer-causing gas since October," Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
ADDYSTON -- "There will be a community meeting with Lanxess Plastics on Tuesday, April 5 at 6:30 pm at the Meadows 59 E. Main Street (Cleves-Warsaw Pike) Upstairs, in Addyston. The community will present their standard to Lanxess Management,'" Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action.
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Sarah Grutza
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Mar 29: Two more
Lanxess accidents in March:
369 pounds of volatile organic compounds released
"It's time for a new plant manager. Enough is enough."
ADDYSTON -- "We just learned
today of two additional Lanxess accidents in March. At 5 AM on March 10,
four different emission units began leaking a total of 270 pounds of volatile
organic compounds into Addyston's air over a 5 1/2 hour period. Three
days later, another accident sent 99 pounds of volatile organic compounds
into the air. The preliminary information about the leaks was provided
by Terry Harris, a Lanxess environmental engineer, to the Hamilton County
Department of Environmental Services; a full report is due to the County
by March 31. A full report is not needed, however, to know that it's
time for a new plant manager. Enough is enough," Ruth Breech, Southwest
Ohio Program Director, Ohio Citizen Action.
- Report 1, Report 2
- Volatile organic compounds are organic (carbon-containing) compounds that evaporate readily at room temperature. These compounds are used as solvents, degreasers, paints, thinners and fuels. They react in the presence of nitrogen oxides and sunlight to form ground-level ozone, a major component of smog. Ozone irritates the eyes, damages the lungs, and aggravates respiratory problems. A number of volatile organic compounds are also toxic, with the potential to cause cancer and nerve damage.
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Betsy Eckert, Jade Eckert, Jasmine Jackson, Kelli Knoche, and an air sampling bucket (Photo by Steven M. Herppich, Enquirer).
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ADDYSTON -- "Now [Betty] Eckert, 64, and some of her neighbors have armed themselves with simple buckets in an attempt to protect themselves against future gas releases, which they believe to be an invisible menace that could cause health problems. The buckets, with plastic linings and air-tight lids, allow residents to capture air samples when they smell something that doesn't seem right. The environmental group Ohio Citizen Action has secured a $7,500 grant for an independent California laboratory to perform the $500 tests on the air samples neighborhood residents collect. 'Families here stay for generations,' Eckert said. 'That's why we're doing this. It seems that these accidents are getting worse. The company says they're working on it, and they're very convincing, but it never seems to get done. This is a lovely community that is being poisoned. We're just trying to protect ourselves," she said," Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
Mar 22: Neighbor
travels to Germany with letter to Lanxess CEO:
"In any other company at this point the plant manager would have already been fired and replaced"
ADDYSTON
-- "Ken Gosney is leaving for Germany today and will personally deliver a letter
on behalf of neighbors from the Westside communities of Addyston, Cleves,
North Bend, and Sayler Park. The letter to Lanxess CEO Axel Heitmann states,
'On December 2, 2004, the local plant manager told the community that
the accident in October was 'not acceptable' and that the plant would
change its ways. Two huge accidents and four months later, the company
has still not corrected these problems. In any other company at this point
the plant manager would have already been fired and replaced. We have
seen other companies in Ohio make the necessary changes to meet community
standards. We strongly believe that it is possible for communities and
companies to coexist and for relationships to improve. We urge you to
put the proper management in place to make these standards a reality,'"
Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action.
"In any other company at this point the plant manager would have already been fired and replaced"
ADDYSTON
-- "Ken Gosney is leaving for Germany today and will personally deliver a letter
on behalf of neighbors from the Westside communities of Addyston, Cleves,
North Bend, and Sayler Park. The letter to Lanxess CEO Axel Heitmann states,
'On December 2, 2004, the local plant manager told the community that
the accident in October was 'not acceptable' and that the plant would
change its ways. Two huge accidents and four months later, the company
has still not corrected these problems. In any other company at this point
the plant manager would have already been fired and replaced. We have
seen other companies in Ohio make the necessary changes to meet community
standards. We strongly believe that it is possible for communities and
companies to coexist and for relationships to improve. We urge you to
put the proper management in place to make these standards a reality,'"
Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action.
Mar 21: Photos:
Lanxess neighbors meeting
ADDYSTON -- "Neighbors from the Westside communities of Addyston, Cleves, North Bend, and Sayler Park met on Tuesday, March 15 to define a community standard for their neighborhood. Residents decided that they will hold Lanxess to the following -- no odors; no leaks; no accidents; no dust; no pollution into the Ohio River and underground aquifer; install fenceline monitors on the westside; reduce emissions to as close to zero as possible. Neighbors want a plan of action from Lanxess that shows real changes that address each of these problems. Neighbors also noted the importance of an outside party (someone not employed by Lanxess Pittsburgh or Germany) that will verify the plan," Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action.
ADDYSTON -- "Neighbors from the Westside communities of Addyston, Cleves, North Bend, and Sayler Park met on Tuesday, March 15 to define a community standard for their neighborhood. Residents decided that they will hold Lanxess to the following -- no odors; no leaks; no accidents; no dust; no pollution into the Ohio River and underground aquifer; install fenceline monitors on the westside; reduce emissions to as close to zero as possible. Neighbors want a plan of action from Lanxess that shows real changes that address each of these problems. Neighbors also noted the importance of an outside party (someone not employed by Lanxess Pittsburgh or Germany) that will verify the plan," Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action.
Addyston company reviews after third gas release
ADDYSTON -- "About 750
pounds of the cancer-causing gas butadiene was released in a Feb. 23 accident
at Lanxess, the plastic maker reported Thursday to the Hamilton County Department
of Environmental Services. The gas is extremely toxic, and the company must
report to the county any release of more than 10 pounds. All 750 pounds
were released into the atmosphere in about two hours. The February incident
was the third major release of a dangerous gas at the plant since October.
The company had accidental releases of 1,200 pounds of a "probable"
carcinogen, acrylonitrile, during the village's Oktoberfest celebration,
and an additional 700 pounds of the same gas Dec. 15. The environmental
group Ohio Citizen Action has been organizing public meetings between citizens
and company officials for months to work on better communication when accidents
happen. Ruth Breech, southwest coordinator for the organization, said that
the February release happened during a public meeting with the company,"
Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
FRANKFURT, GERMANY -- "Bayer shares have risen 13.7 percent this year, outdoing a 3 percent rise in the DAX blue chip index, as investors celebrated the shedding of Lanxess, whose businesses suffer from thin margins," Reuters.
ADDYSTON -- "Plastic maker Lanxess is investigating the release of a cancer-causing gas called butadiene on Feb. 23 -- the third major release of a suspected carcinogen from the plant since October. Officials with the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services say they don't know how much of the gas escaped into the atmosphere. The company is responsible for finding out why the accident happened and for determining how much of the gas was released. 'These accidents are so consistent that everyone needs to be more proactive and preventative,' said Ruth Breech of the environmental group Ohio Citizen Action," Dan Klepal, Cincinnati Enquirer.
ADDYSTON -- "Last night, neighbors of the Lanxess Plastics met with company officials to discuss the company's 36 accidents in 2004, and what could be done to prevent them in the future. During the meeting, the Lanxess plant -- less than a mile away -- had another accident, in which valves 'not completely sealed' released cancer-causing butadiene into the air. Lanxess environmental engineer Duane Day did not say how much butadiene escaped, but he said it was a 'reportable' amount. The 'reportable amount' for butadiene is at least 10 pounds. According to Day, the accident lasted from 4:30 PM to 6:45 PM, and he said he had reported it to Hamilton County Environmental Services," Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action.
- Last October, Lanxess Plastics leaked 34 lbs of butadiene into the air across the street from a large OctoberFest celebration in Addyston. The plant leaked 1,122 lbs of acrylonitrile at the same time.
- The "AG" in "Lanxess AG" is an acronym for "Aktien Gesellschaft," literally "shares society". It means that Lanxess is a corporation owned by shareholders.
FRANKFURT, GERMANY
-- "A small group of protesters led by the Bayer-critical pressure group
CBGnetwork and Catholic peace activists made a stand against last week´s
stock market debut of Bayer spin-off Lanxess in Frankfurt, Germany. The
protesters complained that Bayer is unloading debts of more than €2
billion onto the new company, and that this would lead to mounting losses
as well as endanger 'thousands of jobs.' The Lanxess share started trading
on 31 January at €15.75, but fell below €14 later in the day.
As ECN went to press, the price was €15. At the launch, chairman Axel
Heitmann said all Lanxess´ businesses would be 'put to the test' this
year, to determine whether they are delivering value to shareholders," European
Chemical News. Access fee; no link.
MORE ON LANXESS PLASTICS
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY -- "Lanxess AG said its spin-off from Bayer AG has taken legal effect today. Lanxess shares will be allotted to Bayer stockholders on a one-for-ten basis. For technical reasons the allotment will not take place until after the close of trading today, Lanxess said. Trading in Lanxess shares is scheduled to commence on Jan 31, with the opening price likely to be determined between 9.15 and 9.25 am, Bayer said.," Agence France-Presse.
FRANKFURT, GERMANY -- Altana, Bayer, DaimlerChrysler, Infineon: German equity preview. "Shares of Lanxess AG, trading on a when-issued basis, fell to 14 euros [$18.25] yesterday after earlier being priced at between 15.5 euros and 16 euros [$20.21 - $20.86], brokerage Lang & Schwarz Wertpapierhandel AG said on its Web site. Lanxess, the chemical unit that Bayer AG is spinning off to shareholders, begins trading on the Frankfurt exchange Jan. 31. Bayer shares dropped 24 cents, or 1 percent, to 24.71 euros," Bloomberg News.
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Neighbor Mike Sieving
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ADDYSTON -- Neighbors meet with Addyston plastic plant officials, Neil Relyea, WCPO-TV 9.
ADDYSTON -- "A public hearing to discuss odor complaints and accidents at plastics maker Lanxess will be held today, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., in Addyston. The meeting was originally scheduled for Thursday, but was rescheduled because of the snow. It will be at The Meadows, 59 E. Main St. (Cleves-Warsaw Pike)," Cincinnati Enquirer.
ADDYSTON -- "Lanxess reported that they spewed 700 pounds of acrylonitrile into the air in eight minutes on December 15, 2004, according to documents the company filed this week with Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services. Lanxess' permit allows them to release only 8 pounds of acrylonitrile during the particular chemical process where the accident occurred. Laws require the company to report any releases over 100 pounds. According to the report, the release was high enough to set off alarms at the plant, turning off lights and signaling workers to put on respirators. Lanxess' internal investigation concluded that the accident was caused when a critical step was missed in the batch manufacturing process, causing over pressurization of the reactor," Ruth Breech, Ohio Citizen Action.
LONDON, ENGLAND -- "Merrill Lynch downgraded German chemicals and pharmaceuticals group Bayer to 'sell' from 'neutral,' saying it sees increasing risks for 2005, 'including the commodity cycle and danger that CropScience faces a less favorable year.' The broker said pharma strategy remains high risk, and 'spin-off of Lanxess is unlikely to prove a positive catalyst.' Merrill concluded that with only two significant products in Phase II and Phase III, 'almost everything needs to go right to deliver any long-term growth,' Aude Lagorce, CBS News.
Invite new CEO to meet
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| Lanxess world headquarters building, Bayer Chemical Park, Leverkusen, Germany. |
PARIS, FRANCE -- European stocks ease on U.S. interest rate worry. "Bayer shed 2.5 per cent, further compounded by uncertainties over the Lanxess unit the German group is to list at the end of this month," Reuters.
LOS ANGELES -- Deutsche Boerse, Porsche, Volkswagen: German equity preview. "Workers at Lanxess AG, the chemical business being spun off by Bayer, may sue their employer over plans to save 20 million euros ($26.4 million) in personnel costs this year, Die Welt said, citing unidentified people close to the company. Bayer shares added 1 cent to 24.12 euros," Bloomberg News.
News from 2004