Ashland Seeks Summary Judgment Award, Says Causal Link Missing

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Ashland Inc. has filed a motion for summary judgment in a North Carolina case, contending that the product at issue in the case is toluene -- not benzene -- which has never been recognized as a human carcinogen. Stromberg, et al. v. Ashland Inc., et al., No. 07-332 (M.D. N.C.).

In the Nov. 21 motion filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, the defendant says that the plaintiffs have failed to establish a causal link between toluene exposure and the decedent's injuries.

Donald and Hollace Stromberg asserted the claims, arguing …