Halliburton Company, a multi-billion dollar corporation based in Houston, Texas, recently admitted to and accepted liability for the contamination of at least 18 water wells located primarily on the north side of Duncan, Oklahoma.  Halliburton’s admittance came soon after the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality released a report detailing their findings of perchlorate, a colorless salt that constitutes a serious threat to public health, in water near the Halliburton North Facility on Osage Road.  The contamination occurred when Halliburton cleaned out missile casings under a contract with the Department of Defense.  A primary component of the rocket fuel used in the missiles is ammonium perchlorate.  The North facility ceased operations in 1991, nearly thirty years after the contamination began in 1965.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has previously warned against perchlorate in drinking water if the water contains 15 ppb (parts per billion) or higher.  Shockingly, the water wells measured near Duncan have reportedly measured perchlorate amounts as high as 27 parts per billion. 

Tragically, the residents of Duncan are now feeling the effects of Halliburton’s carelessness.  Perchlorate adversely affects humans by interfering with iodine uptake into the thyroid gland.  Recent studies show that exposure to perchlorate can result in the development of severe hypothyroidism which can lead to multiple, and perhaps life-threatening health problems such as thyroid cancer, goiter, breast disease, disruption of the menstrual cycle, immune system dysfunction, heart disease and infertility.  However, studies show that those most at risk to perchlorate in contaminated drinking water include children and pregnant women.  Perchlorate toxicity can be responsible for poor fetal development, mental retardation of newborns, an increased risk of cognitive and developmental problems, or, in more severe cases, cretinism and birth defects.

The Oklahoma law firm of Nix Law Group, PLLC is currently investigating and assisting the families of individuals who have suffered severe health complications, including the development of thyroid cancer, severe hypothyroidism and other serious thyroid problems resulting from the perchlorate contamination in Duncan.          

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those needlessly affected by Halliburton’s contamination of private water wells in Duncan.  All attorneys at Nix Law Group were born and raised in Oklahoma small towns much like Duncan.  If you or anyone you know may have been affected by this tragic and senseless endangerment of public health, please contact a Nix Law Group attorney today. 

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