Goodyear Chemical Exposure Investigation in Niagara Falls, NY

In Niagara Falls, NY, residents living near Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. on 56th Street may be at risk of developing adverse health issues due to excessive emissions of a known human carcinogen. Exposure to the substance, called ortho-toluidine (o-T), can cause bladder cancer, creating a public health in the surrounding community. Goodyear’s emissions of o-T have been reported to be up to seven times higher than the state’s acceptable limit. Despite the well-known risks from exposure, the company has failed to prevent a toxic plume from spreading over nearby neighborhoods. If you or a loved one lives near the Goodyear plant and have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you may be entitled to compensation through a potential Goodyear chemical exposure lawsuit.

Understanding the Goodyear Chemical Exposure Issue

Goodyear Chemical Exposure Lawsuit in Niagara Falls, NY

Goodyear’s Niagara Falls facility is releasing ortho-toluidine (o-T) into the surrounding neighborhood. In 2021, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) established a new emission limit of 0.02 micrograms per cubic meter for o-T. However, Goodyear is emitting up to 0.14 micrograms per cubic meter into the air around the plant. The DEC’s air pollution modeling shows toxic emissions spreading within a half-mile radius of the facility, an area that includes residential neighborhoods.

The facility has been releasing o-T into the air since 1957, posing a serious and ongoing health risk to the community. In July 2023, the DEC issued a violation to Goodyear for failing to control emissions, highlighting critical deficiencies in the plant’s pollution control measures. Testing conducted in November 2022 revealed that the plant’s equipment was only removing up to 53% of ortho-toluidine from its emissions—far below the state’s requirement of 90%. This failure has allowed potentially dangerous concentrations of the carcinogen to persist in the air, putting residents and workers in the area at risk.

The Health Risks of Ortho-Toluidine Exposure

Ortho-toluidine (o-T), also known as 2-Methylaniline, is a toxic organic compound primarily used to manufacture dyes, pesticides, and rubber. The Goodyear facility in Niagara Falls uses the substance to help prevent rubber tires from cracking. In 1983, o-T was “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen,” according to the National Toxicology Program (NTP). However, in 2014, the NTP reclassified o-T as a known human carcinogen in light of new cancer studies that demonstrated its link to cancer in humans. It now has a well-documented link to bladder cancer.

Since the 1980s, at least 78 Goodyear employees have been diagnosed with bladder cancer. While worker exposure remains a serious concern, the danger has expanded beyond the plant. With hazardous levels of o-T polluting the air, those who live or work near the facility are at risk. For years, people in the surrounding area have unknowingly inhaled toxic emissions, facing ongoing exposure that continues to jeopardize their health and safety.

Goodyear Chemical Exposure Lawsuit in Niagara Falls, NY Goodyear Chemical Exposure Lawsuit in Niagara Falls, NY

Goodyear’s Delayed Response to Chemical Exposure Risk

Despite evidence of hazardous emissions and the 2023 violation issued by the DEC, Goodyear has delayed meaningful action. The company has claimed compliance with its 2011 permit and the state’s prior limit for o-T. While the company states it is working with the DEC to meet updated 2021 air quality standards, regulators have yet to enforce stricter limits. The DEC has known about the issue for years but has not required Goodyear to reduce emissions, allowing negotiations to drag on for four years. Meanwhile, pollution continues to endanger the surrounding community.

As of January 15, 2025, Goodyear has agreed to a new consent order. The order requires Goodyear to submit a plan to the DEC by the end of the month for temporary pollution controls. It also requires the company to implement permanent solutions by October 2026. While this marks some progress, the community will still face dangerous emissions for years before full compliance takes effect.

Holding Goodyear Accountable for Chemical Exposure

Every resident has the right to clean air and protection from harmful chemicals. Yet, excessive emissions from Goodyear’s Niagara Falls plant put the community at risk. Despite evidence of dangerous pollution levels, meaningful action has been delayed for too long.

Residents and environmental advocates are demanding accountability from Goodyear for chemical exposure in the community. They urge the company to act now by reducing emissions and upgrading pollution control equipment. They argue that waiting until late 2026 is unacceptable.

For those affected, legal action may be the only way to push for real change. Holding Goodyear accountable can help drive faster implementation of pollution controls and provide justice for those suffering the consequences of prolonged exposure. If you live or work near the plant and have experienced a health issue associated with o-T exposure, now is the time to take action.

How Lipsitz, Ponterio and Comerford Can Help

For decades, the team at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford has fought for victims of corporate negligence and environmental contamination. We have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients. If you or a loved one have been affected by the pollution from the Goodyear plant, you may have legal options.

Our firm has extensive experience holding companies accountable for exposing workers and communities to harmful substances. We have represented numerous Goodyear employees who were exposed to asbestos through insulation, gaskets, packing, and equipment used at the facility. Now, as toxic emissions from the plant threaten the surrounding community, we are prepared to fight for residents, workers, and business owners suffering from prolonged exposure.

A diagnosis of bladder cancer from exposure to toxic chemicals can profoundly impact your life. When companies neglect community safety in their operations, they must be held accountable for the harm they cause. No one should suffer due to corporate negligence, and those affected deserve justice and compensation.

New York State has strict time limits, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a lawsuit. If you live or work near Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in Niagara Falls, NY, and have become ill from exposure to dangerous chemicals like ortho-toluidine, contact us today to explore your legal options. By scheduling a free case consultation, you’re taking the first step toward justice and holding corporations accountable for their negligence.