CHATTANOOGA (AP) - Two years after the catastrophic coal ash spill at a Kingston power plant, some Roane County homeowners say they are having respiratory problems, buying air filters and hosing away toxic-laden dust.
The Dec. 22, 2008 spill of 5.4 million cubic yards of toxin-laden sludge in the Emory River and on privately held land beside the Tennessee Valley Authority's plant has spurred some to join a protracted court fight.
Owners of more than 170 properties negotiated buyouts and have moved with TVA's $1.2 billion cleanup continuing.
The Swan Pond community is quieter, with only a scattering of holiday sparkle in largely vacant neighborhoods.
TVA contends in court filings that dust from the ash spill is no more harmful than "dust from a ball field or farm land."
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