Ohio EPA's
Involvement in the Warren Township Hydrogen Sulfide Investigation
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released
a health consultation on September 18, 2002, regarding the hydrogen
sulfide exposure investigation conducted in Trumbull County, Ohio.
ATSDR had been petitioned to evaluate whether hydrogen sulfide levels
in ambient air pose an immediate health threat to the people of
Warren Township. Based on available air monitoring data, ATSDR determined
that "...some residents could experience some health effects,
such as nausea, headaches, eye irritation, and respiratory irritation
as a result of exposure to hydrogen sulfide in ambient air."
Ohio EPA recognizes the seriousness of ATSDR's conclusion and
is working closely with all agencies involved in this matter. Ohio
EPA's main role is to provide technical support, and primarily concerns
the compliance and regulatory issues associated with any industrial
facilities in question. -All issues related to health effects are
best addressed by the health experts at the local health department
and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
ATSDR's report contained six recommendations that are currently
being addressed by a multi-agency committee. A complete list of
the recommendations and the agency who will carry out the actions
associated with each recommendation is provided in ATSDR's Public
Health Action Plan. Ohio EPA is focusing its efforts on two of ATSDR's
recommendations. Additional information on Ohio EPA's involvement
is provided below.
ATSDR Recommendation #5
ATSDR recommended that ground water monitoring wells be installed
and intermittently sampled at the perimeter of Warren Recycling,
Inc.'s construction and demolition debris (C&DD) facility. The
purpose of this is to evaluate whether landfill leachate is impacting
aquifers used for drinking water by area residents.
Ohio EPA's Involvement
- A possible source of the hydrogen sulfide odors is Warren Recycling,
Inc.'s C&DD facility. To date, this is the only local facility
regulated under Ohio's environmental laws that has been identified
as a potential source of the odors. Any odors from the facility
could be migrating above ground and/or below ground. The actions
taken for the above recommendation will evaluate whether hydrogen
sulfide is migrating from the facility through the ground water.
- The Warren City Health Department is the local regulatory agency
involved in implementing Ohio's C&DD regulations Warren. Ohio
EPA's Division of Solid and Infectious Waste Management (DSIWM)
provides the health department with technical assistance on C&DD
regulations, including ground water monitoring issues. Warren
City Health Department has already requested that Warren Recycling,
Inc. install ground water monitoring wells at the landfill. Ohio
EPA will assist the health department in reviewing the proposed
ground water monitoring program for compliance with state regulations
prior to installation of the system at the facility.
ATSDR Recommendation #6
ATSDR recommended that all major sources of hydrogen sulfide in
ambient (outdoor) air be identified. Local and state officials should
continue to work to reduce exposure of area residents to hydrogen
sulfide gas, and to ensure that facilities identified as sources
comply with these strategies to protect the health of the public.
Ohio EPA's Involvement
- While it is possible that Warren Recycling, Inc.'s C&DD
facility may be the source, it is not the only potential source
of the hydrogen sulfide odors. Each possible source needs to be
identified and evaluated. Ohio EPA's Division of Air Pollution
Control (DAPC) is developing a list of potential hydrogen sulfide
emitting sources in the area, including industrial and natural
sources.
- Ohio EPA will use sampling data and odor complaint information
to investigate those potential sources whose activities are regulated
under Ohio's environmental laws. At the same time, it is possible
that hydrogen sulfide odors may be coming from a source that is
not regulated by Ohio EPA. Ohio EPA will seek the assistance of
the appropriate agencies to investigate other potential sources
as necessary.
- Ohio EPA has worked closely with local authorities to develop
an odor complaint system that will immediately notify local responders
of any potential health threats, so that prompt action can be
taken to investigate the odors and evacuate citizens if needed.
The system was also established to gather sufficient information
for Ohio EPA to evaluate trends in our investigation of the odor
source. The complaint system is explained in greater detail in
a separate handout.
Contact Information
- For more information regarding ATSDR's investigation report,
contact Michelle Colledge or Lynn Wilder, ATSDR, at (888) 422-8737.
- For health questions, contact Bob Frey, (614) 466-1069, or
Eric Yates, (614) 995-4157, of the Ohio Department of Health.
- For regulatory questions and technical assistance, contact
Katharina Snyder, Ohio EPA-DSIWM or Joseph Loucek, Ohio EPA-DAPC,
at (800) 686-6330.
- To report
an odor complaint, please refer to the contact numbers provided
in the odor complaint handout.
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