ATSDR - Warren Township, Ohio

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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Exposure Investigation Finds Urgent Public Health Hazard
From Hydrogen Sulfide in Warren Township, Ohio

For Immediate Release: Dec. 8, 2003

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today released its final public health consultation, an exposure investigation of hydrogen sulfide in the air, for the Warren Township site in Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio.

ATSDR concluded that an urgent public health hazard exists on the basis of the following conditions:

People with pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease or respiratory problems are at risk from the levels of hydrogen sulfide present in outdoor air in residential areas.

On the basis of the levels of hydrogen sulfide and methane found in landfill vents, ATSDR finds that the potential for fire and explosion under extreme conditions on the landfill presents a threat to community members and workers at the site.

There is a physical health hazard to children and adults who access the unrestricted landfill.

ATSDR uses the "urgent public health hazard" conclusions for sites where short-term exposures (less than 1 year) to hazardous substances or conditions could result in harmful effects that require rapid intervention. Other conclusions from the Warren exposure investigation include:

Members of the community cannot easily avoid exposures because hydrogen sulfide was also found inside homes.

The levels of hydrogen sulfide, and possible other noxious-smelling compounds, in the air are resulting in a diminished quality of life for community members.

It is possible that workers near the source of hydrogen sulfide might be exposed to levels that exceed occupational exposure guidelines

The ATSDR exposure investigation recommends that steps be taken to eliminate exposure to hydrogen sulfide from outdoor sources. Other recommendations include eliminating gas accumulation on the landfill property, conducting air sampling for other sulfur gases, identifying the source of the hydrogen sulfide and determining if there is a need for a health hazard evaluation of the workers. ATSDR also recommends that local, state and federal agencies consider conducting a health study of the population.

The document may be reviewed at the following repository:

Warren Trumbull County Public Library
444 Mahoning Avenue N.W.
Warren, Ohio 44483
(330) 399-8807

Community members seeking information on the meeting may contact Regional Representative Michelle Colledge at 312-886-1462, Environmental Health Scientist Gail Scogin or Health Communications Specialist Lorine Spencer toll free at 1-888-422-8737. Refer to the Warren Township site in Warren, Ohio, when calling.

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Members of the news media can request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling Jennifer Sarginson or Jill Smith in the ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.

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Updated by R. Searfoss December 9, 2003
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
770-488-0700 or e-mail (news media)