Peabody Residents Sue Gelatin Maker Over Noxious Fumes

PEABODY, MA — A group of Peabody residents filed a class action lawsuit against Rousselot Peabody Inc. The lawsuit filed in Essex Superior Court last month claims noxious fumes from the company's Washington Street gelatin plant have plagued the neighborhood for several years and the company has not taken steps to address the problem. Anyone living within one mile of the plant can join the class action, meaning the list of plaintiffs could grow to more than 7,000 people.

The lawsuit claims describes the odors as smelling like "rotting flesh" and are so strong on warm days that residents can't stay outside their homes for extended periods of time. At least one of the plaintiffs in the class action said the stench caused headaches, vomit ting and nausea.

A spokesperson for Rousselot, which bought the plant in 2011, was not immediately available for comment Wednesday morning. The plant has been in operation for 137 years and employs about 100 workers.