Companies settle chemical leak suit

CINCINNATI (AP) -- More than 1,200 city residents should receive checks this week as part of a $2 million settlement over a chemical leak last year.
A rail tanker owned by Westlake Chemical Corp. leaked vapor from its load of styrene, prompting the evacuation of 800 homes and businesses for three days in August 2005. The chemical, used to make plastics, synthetic rubber and resins, is a highly flammable liquid hazardous to breathe in gaseous form.
Ohio Railway Corp., Westlake Chemical and Kinder Morgan Liquid Terminals had agreed earlier to the settlement with residents.
Individual checks will be about $1,700. About $600,000 will go toward attorney fees.