General Electric might have released PCBs into the water supply in Rome, Georgia which contaminated the water supply and leached into the surrounding groundwater.

This is an investiogation and a pending class action lawsuit against General Electric alleging it contaminated the water supply and proerty in and around Rome, Georgia.

General Electric operated a plant in Rome, Georgia at which it manufactured medium-sized transformers for industrial and commercial use. For over 20 years, until approximately 1975, GE used polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as a fire retardant in those transformers. In the course of its manufacturing activities, GE intentionally channeled PCB-contaminated storm water runoff and other plant effluent into two nearby creeks. In addition, GE intentionally disposed of PCB-contaminated waste on-site in three landfills. PCBs have leached out from those landfills and contaminated groundwater that also has moved off-site. The PCB-contaminated waters from the creeks and the groundwater have moved off-site and entered the properties of many private landowners in Rome.

Several individual landowners who have sued GE for property damage resulting from the PCB contamination, as well as a resident who seeks to pursue claims on behalf of a class of persons whose property was damaged by contamination flowing from one of the creeks. The use of PCBs was banned by the federal government after 1975. The United States Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory agencies classify PCBs as probable human carcinogens. PCBs have been linked as well in some studies to numerous other human health effects, including liver damage, immunosuppressive effects, neurological injury, and endocrine system disruption.