The chamber of commerce warned publicly about declining property values and other serious economic effects. “Businesses may decide not to expand, or even to move out of the area,” one speaker told the chamber. “Industrial land may not be sold because of the problem. Property values may be down.” The chamber’s vice-president foresaw “an exodus of business” and said, “We’ve got to try to head that off.”

Jonathan Harr, A Civil Action, loc. 165