IN BRIEF : OHIO : Fernald Lawsuit Settlement OKd

A federal judge in Cincinnati has given final approval to a $78-million settlement of a class action lawsuit over radioactive pollution from the federal government’s Fernald uranium processing plant. U.S. District Judge Carl B. Rubin ruled that the settlement with 14,000 residents and businesses within five miles of the plant leaves Mobil Mining & Minerals Co. free to sue the Energy Department to recover costs of cleaning up radioactive pollution on its property. The plaintiffs said radioactive pollution had reduced their property values and inflicted emotional suffering.