This website provides news and information related to a presumptive class action lawsuit filed by residents of Blackwell, Oklahoma, against Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., Phelps Dodge Corporation, and other defendants. These companies are responsible for 58,000,000 pounds of toxic contamination currently polluting Blackwell in connection with the Blackwell Zinc Smelter, which operated in the town for nearly 60 years.
 
The Blackwell contamination is made up of large amounts of lead, arsenic, cadmium and zinc. These substances have long been known to cause cancer, brain damage and other health problems. The plaintiffs demand that Freeport-McMoRan and the other defendants thoroughly remediate their property and provide for a medical monitoring program open to all Blackwell residents.
 
This lawsuit was filed in the District Court of Kay County, Oklahoma, on April 14, 2008. It is captioned Coffey, et al., individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.; Phelps Dodge Corporation; et al., Cause No. CJ-2008-68.