Residents in one South Carolina town have filed more than 27,000 reports with their state health department after they say a nearby paper mill owned by New England Patriots boss Robert Kraft is sickening them with noxious gases.
Fort Mill community members claim the New-Indy paper mill in nearby Catawba is releasing foul-smelling fumes that have cause migraines, dizziness, vomiting, nosebleeds and burning eyes.
The gases, which residents say resemble the odor of rotten eggs, spoiled cabbage and feces, have spread as far as 30 miles away, impacting 1.5 million people, The Daily Beast reported Wednesday.
After more than six months of complaining, residents are fighting back with lawsuits against the plant and its owners, which include Kraft, CEO of the Patriots NFL team.
The New-Indy paper mill (pictured) in Catawba, SC is accused of releasing foul-smelling fumes that have spread as far as 30 miles away, impacting 1.5million people
Residents including Scott Stevens (left) and Karen Reilly (right) say the noxious gases released at the mill have caused migraines, dizziness, vomiting, nosebleeds and burning eyes
Just two months ago, the Environmental Protection Agency filed an emergency order telling the plant to 'immediately begin taking steps to minimize air emissions,' however locals say there has hardly been any change.
'We feel like we're being poisoned and gassed in our homes,' resident Karen Reilly told the Daily Beast.
Scott Stevens echoed her claims, citing examples of how the gases give him regular nosebleeds.
'I feel like I have a runny nose. It's actually blood,' he explained, noting that he didn't have a previous history of nosebleeds.
A private Facebook with more than 3,400 members is filled with post from locals attributing various ailment to the fumes from the mill.
On the public Fort Mill Community Advocates page,
