This release of CoMeta introduces latent property damage claims stemming from the need to remove or otherwise remediate building materials that pose a threat to human health. This release also includes a host of updated Litagion agents and company profiles impacted by newly published peer-reviewed science and newly gathered company information.
New Content
Latent property damage claims arising from building contamination
This release of CoMeta adds 155 latent property damage claims spanning 14 Litagion agents in which individuals allege that their property has been damaged by the presence of a toxin that elevates their risk of injury. These toxins can be released over time from building materials or form as the result of faulty construction. Think asbestos floor tiling, lead paint, PCB caulking, and toxic mold. Or, moving forward, think vinyl flooring, flame-retarded carpeting, spray-foam insulation, and crumb rubber athletic surfaces.
In these claims, private property owners allege that the presence of the toxins result in loss of use of their property and must be remediated in order to make it suitable for habitation. It is the threat of bodily injury that drives these property damage claims rather than bodily injury itself. Building material manufacturers and suppliers, construction companies, and real estate developers and management companies are all likely to be named defendants in these lawsuits.
Themes
- Building contamination. The building contamination theme summarizes the new latent property damage claims described above.
Updated Litagion agents based on newly published science
All Litagion agent profiles have been updated to reflect the most recently published peer-reviewed science. Notable scientific studies added to CoMeta since the last release include:
- Antimony: A study in China linked antimony in ambient fine particulate matter to decreased sperm concentration in men.
- Captan: Using the California Cancer Registry, scientists found exposure to captan, especially early life exposure, increased the risk of breast cancer in female farm workers.
In addition, we highlight the following changes to the components of Litagion agent risk resulting from recently published peer-reviewed science:
| Litagion agent | Risk category change | Overall risk change |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | Projected science risk changes from Low (green) to Medium (yellow) | None |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid | Projected science risk changes from Medium (yellow) to Medium-high (orange) | None |