US Supreme Court Refuses Appeal Of Pollution Verdict MONTGOMERY, AL (APR - Alabama Public Radio ) - The United States Supreme Court has rejected all further appeals of a more than $20.7 million pollution verdict against a Phenix City plant.

In 2004 a federal jury ruled in favor of the city of Columbus, Ga., local boat dealer John Tharpe and South Columbus resident Owen Ditchfield in their suit against the Continental Carbon plant.

The jury also ruled against the plant's parent company, China Synthetic Rubber Corporation of Taiwan.

Jurors found that the companies dumped carbon black into the air. The substance, which is a reinforcing and pigmenting agent that's used in tires, inks, cables and coatings, drifted across the Chattahoochee River.

Lawyers in the case said the agent damaged the Columbus Civic Center, recreational facilities, a boating sales company and a nearby home.

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