CLASS-ACTION SETTLEMENT REACHED ON PLASTIC PIPES

Property owners across the country may be eligible to receive funds from a recently negotiated settlement to replace certain plastic plumbing and yard service lines.

The class-action settlement was reached July 31 in "Cox, et al. vs. Shell Oil Company, et al." in Obion County, Tenn. In the settlement, Shell Oil and Hoechst Celanese Corp. agreed to commit $850 million for replacement of certain plastic plumbing systems that have leaked and compensation for leak related damages.

The plumbing involved in the settlement is polybutylene (PB) pipe with metal or acetal insert fittings. The pipe is flexible, plastic pipe that is usually gray, black or silver when used indoors and blue when used in a yard service line.

The Polybutylene plumbing was used in the construction of mobile homes and in the construction of housing, hotels and motels and other structures, particularly in the South and West.

Shell and Hoechst Celanese supplied raw materials used by other companies to manufactures the plumbing components. Consumers who wish to contact counsel regarding the settlement should write: In re Cox v. Shell, Po. O. Box 175, Minneapolis, MN., 55440-0175, or call 1-800-876-4698.