Main content

The mums who took their 'toxic town' to court

Tracey Taylor and Maggie Mahon were mocked when they argued that a mismanaged toxic waste clean-up could have harmed their unborn children. A landmark legal battle began.

Tracey Taylor and Maggie Mahon didn't know each other when their children were born, just a year apart. Both were pregnant at a time when the English town of Corby was being polluted by dust from the clean-up of its giant old steelworks site.

No-one knew the dust might be poisonous and they breathed it in, unaware that it could harm their unborn children. Tracey and Mark's daughter Shelby-Anne was born with multiple abnormalities and died at four days old. Maggie and Derek's son Sam was born with his right foot turned sharply inwards, a condition commonly called Clubfoot or Talipes.

Tracey had worked next to the toxic site and Maggie's husband Derek had been working with a team clearing the waste.

For many years they – and other parents affected - were unaware of a possible link between toxic dust and their children's conditions. But a lawyer called Des Collins became interested in the number of children in and around Corby with limb differences and started to investigate. He was looking for parents who would be willing to take the case to court. Tracey and Maggie were among the mothers who said yes. This is their story.

This programmes includes the experience of losing a baby.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Helen Fitzhenry

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Tracey Taylor and Maggie Mahon sit together at Tracey's home. Credit: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ (Helen Fitzhenry))

Available now

41 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Last Tuesday 11:06GMT
  • Last Tuesday 17:06GMT
  • Last Tuesday 21:06GMT
  • Wednesday 02:06GMT

Contact Outlook

Contact Outlook

Info on how we might use your contribution on air

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected