TOWN OF TONAWANDA — Citizens United for Justice is taking the next step in its fight against Tonawanda Coke.

The newly formed citizens group is hosting its second meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the City of Tonawanda American Legion Post, 60 Main St.

A representative from California-based law firm Gonzalez, Zola, Wegman & Associates will attend the meeting to make an announcement regarding the health surveys and the group’s impending lawsuit against Tonawanda Coke.

The group’s members are urging residents to complete a health survey, which the Gonzalez law firm will use to investigate whether there is a link between the high amount of benzene being emitted by the Town of Tonawanda foundry coke manufacturer and health problems in the surrounding communities, including the city and town of Tonawanda, Grand Island and the Riverside section of Buffalo.

At a forum held last month at Tonawanda High School, nearly 200 residents filled out the confidential health surveys, which were then shipped to the California law firm.

Citizens United for Justice chose the firm on a direct recommendation from nationally renowned environmental advocate Erin Brockovich. The group hopes to obtain more surveys — especially from people who reside in the 14150, 14217, 14223, 14072, 14207 and 14120 zip codes — to bolster its case.

Members also are encouraging people to attend Wednesday’s meeting to connect with other residents who have been affected by Tonawanda Coke.

A report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last month showed that Tonawanda Coke is a major source of benzene emissions in the region, and that the facility officials, including owner J.D. Crane, significantly underestimated the plant’s benzene emissions. Crane has said — and plant records filed with the EPA have documented — that Tonawanda Coke emits less than 10 tons of benzene into the air annually, but EPA tests found emissions nearly 9 times that amount, at more than 90 tons per year.

Neighbors have suspected the plant’s benzene emissions over the years have caused a higher than normal cancer rate in the area, in addition to a noxious odor that can envelop the area.

The community backlash against Tonawanda Coke began with the Clean Air Coalition of WNY, founded by Kenmore resident Jackie James-Creedon, who left that group and helped form Citizens United for Justice, along with City of Tonawanda resident Joyce Hogenkamp.

For more information on Wednesday’s meeting or Citizens United for Justice, call 873-5608, or visit the group’s page — “Citizens United for Justice in Tonawanda” — on the social networking site Facebook.