Peruvians sue oil giant over Amazon pollution

Members of an indigenous tribe from the Peruvian Amazon sued the oil giant Occidental Petroleum yesterday in California's superior court, alleging that the company knowingly put the health of the Achuar people at risk and damaged their habitat, the Guardian reported on Friday.
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The claim alleges that over the course of three decades, the company engaged in "irresponsible, reckless, immoral and illegal practices" in an "unchecked effort to profit from Amazonian oil".

Marco Simons, a lawyer for EarthRights International, which is representing the Achuar, said: "If you think about the harm that was done here, the widespread lead poisoning of hundred of children and the exposure of hundreds of adults and children to contamination, you’re certainly looking at substantial damages. But more important than that, the Achuar want injunctive relief to clean up the mess."
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photo by Markg6

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