"An Industry Must Clean Up Its Century-Long Mess"

"In December, the Justice Department announced a settlement in one of the largest environmental bankruptcies in U.S. history.

The American Smelting and Refining Company, known as Asarco, will pay a record $1.79 billion to settle claims for hazardous waste pollution at 80 sites in as many as 20 states.

Cleanup will begin this year on one of Asarco's most notorious properties -- the copper smelter in El Paso, Texas."

John Burnett reports for NPR's Morning Edition February 4, 2010.

See Also:

"Timeline: History Of Asarco In El Paso" (NPR)