She made millions fighting for the health and safety of homeowners, a story that caught the attention of hollywood film makers. Now Erin Brockovich is part of a team seeking to represent several Lowcountry homeowners in a lawsuit they plan to file in the near future.
"I am here as an advocate first and foremost. Iam as a consultant secondly," said Brockovich.
I am not the attorney on this case. I'm not the toxicologist. I'm not the hydro geologist. I work with all of them though."
Several Westcott Plantation residents contacted Brockovich after tests revealed high levels of methane gas in two homes built by the Lennar corporation.
The company fixed the problem and Lennar's local president Bob Hilliard says the homes later passed an EPA inspection and the CDC reviewed the results.
"They have come out with a clear statement that there is no adverse health effect in westcott plantation," Hilliard said.
But according to Brockovich, methane is no longer the issue.
"While everyone was talking about methane problems...."Nobody seemed to be disclosing or talking about voc problems."
Accordng to the EPA volatile organic compounds or VOCs include a variety of chemicals some of which may be harmful.
The chemical Brockovich's firm is now concerned with is benzene.
The firm hired experts to retest some homes. Results showed various forms of benzene at, what she says, are higher than EPA-approved levels.
Test results Hilliard says his office not seen.
"Once we have the information that Mrs. Brockovich has not shared with us, we'll be more than happy to evaluate and do whatever we need to assure our customers of that safety and comfort in their homes."
Brockovich says her firm will sue to find out if Lennar or EPA tested homes for other VOCs including benzene and, if so, why it did not disclose the results.
Brockovich also says her team plans to look into whether two hazardous waste dumps, located near Westcott Plantation, have anything to do with the results of the environmental tests.
To see the comeplete EPA findings for Westcott Plantation, click on the link below:
www.epaosc.net/site_profile.asp?site_id=3271
http://www.wcbd.com/midatlantic/cbd/news.apx.-content-articles-CBD-2007-09-28-0022.html