Oklahoma Foundry Workers, Wives Sue Sand and Respirator Companies

PRYOR, Okla. - More than 50 former foundry workers and their wives have sued dozens of defendants in Oklahoma, alleging that the workers' exposure to silica caused them to develop severe injuries despite their use of respirators. Akins, et al. v. Airgas Safety, et al., No. 2003-443 (Okla. Dist. Ct., Mayes Cty.).

In a complaint filed Sept. 3 in Mayes County District Court, the plaintiffs allege that the respirator manufacturers and companies that supplied sand to the Grede Foundry in Pryor, Okla., are liable for causing silica-related diseases in dozens of workers there.

'At the plant, ... Plaintiffs were exposed …