Ko Brown was a furnace supervisor at Gopher Resource’s lead plant for six years. Although Brown developed blood pressure issues due to the high lead levels in his blood, he said the money kept him at the job. "They showed us money that we've never seen before, so we rationalized working there," Brown said. November, 2020.

Eric Autery, 43, a former furnace operator at Gopher said his time at the plant took a toll on his health. He saw his blood-lead levels jump soon after he began work at the plant. November, 2020.

Eric Telemaque, 54, is living at an assisted living facility after suffering several strokes which left him impaired and unable to live independently. November, 2020 in Tampa.

James Pitts, 49, a former maintenance technician experienced health problems working at the plant. Blood tests have shown that his son DeVon has had an elevated level of lead in his body. January, 2021 in Apollo Beach.

DeVon Pitts, 11, tested positive for lead in his system in 2015, while his father, James Pitts, a former employee at Gopher Resource’s lead plant, worked there. January 25, 2021 in Apollo Beach.

Anil Eglais, 62, watched his health decline after working more than 25 years at Gopher's Tampa lead factory, where he was exposed to poisonous metals including cadmium. From Poisoned: "Not long after, Eglais began talking to the Times. He said his health problems snuck up on him. He felt good until he didn’t, his body plagued by hidden changes. In recent months, a sense of impending death haunted him. He choked up talking about his outlook. Times reporters planned to do a final interview with Eglais in July. But he lost control of his pickup truck the night Tropical Storm Elsa rolled into Tampa. He died after crashing into oncoming traffic." January, 2021.

Len Vernon, 37, was diagnosed with acute chemical bronchitis after he swallowed silica, limestone and shredded steel while working at Gopher Resource’s lead plant. February, 2021 in Tampa.

Jacob Clemente, 26, a former contractor at for BNN Welding who worked at the plant for three months in 2013 recalls an incident in which after shaking bags in the bathhouse, he passed out and woke up in an ambulance. He never returned to the plant. February, 2021 in Brandon.

Kevin Eric Lewis, 26, a former furnace left the factory in an ambulance after his heart started pounding. March, 2021 in Tampa.

Ricky Bartels dealt with the effects of sulfur dioxide exposure in 2012 while working at Gopher. From Poisoned: "The gas caused his eyes and nostrils to burn and his throat to close. A prickly red rash spread across his skin, leaving a sensation of pins and needles." March, 2021 in Tampa.

Furnace veteran Cliff Burnett, 54, had signs of possible kidney damage. August, 2021 in Tampa.

Clarenine Williams grew up in the neighborhood and still lives a block from the Gopher Resource lead plant. She recalls seeing a fire break out a few years ago. October, 2021 in Tampa.

Josefina Zepeda, 56, and her son, Gustavo Araujo, 21, live steps from the Gopher Resource lead plant. Zepada says her son developed asthma since they moved to the property. They worry about their health because of the pollution. November, 2021 in Tampa.

Looking east at the Gopher Resource lead plant, seen through a locked gate November, 2021 in Tampa.