PLATTSBURG, Mo. — A Clinton County judge issued a temporary restraining order Wednesday to prevent the destruction of records connected to Prime Tanning’s application of sludge on rural fields.

The judge’s ruling prevents Prime Tanning and its parent company, National Beef Leathers, from destroying records related to the sludge. A Clinton County lawsuit alleges that the application of sludge containing chromium 6 caused health problems for at least two area residents.

Prime Tanning, which uses chromium in its manufacturing process and provided the sludge to area farmers as fertilizer, is named as a defendant along with National Beef.

A hearing on the records is scheduled for July 14.