ATSDR - Urgent Public Health Hazard in 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: June 27, 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, will hold a public meeting on June 27 to discuss the results of its exposure investigation on air levels of hydrogen sulfide. ATSDR also will participate in a local health fair and conduct a seminar for community health care providers.

After evaluating the environmental data, ATSDR concluded that an urgent public health hazard exists based on the following conditions:

People with preexisting cardiopulmonary disease or respiratory problems are at risk from the levels of hydrogen sulfide present in outdoor air in residential areas.
Based on levels of hydrogen sulfide and methane found in landfill vents, 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 include:

Because hydrogen sulfide was also found inside homes, people cannot easily avoid exposures.
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 may 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 purpose of the public meeting is to release the results of ATSDR's analysis of air data collected to measure hydrogen sulfide levels. The meeting will be held at:

Johnson Community Center
800 Gillmer Road
Leavittsburg, Ohio
Friday, June 27, 2003
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

In addition to the community meeting, ATSDR will provide information on its findings at a health fair to be held at:

Packard Music Hall
1703 Mahoning Ave., N.W.
Warren, Ohio
Saturday, June 28, 2003
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

ATSDR also conducted a physician educational seminar at Trumbull Memorial Hospital on Friday, June 27 at noon. This seminar was designed to educate local health care providers on the health effects of hydrogen sulfide exposure and potential exposure pathways found in the area.

A copy of ATSDR's Exposure Investigation report will be available within a few weeks at the following repository:

Warren-Trumbull County Public Library
444 Mahoning Ave.
Warren, Ohio 44438

Community members seeking information on the meeting may contact Regional Representative Michelle Colledge at 312-886-1462 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 may request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling Elaine McEachern or Petro Kacur in the ATSDR Office of Policy and External Affairs at 770-488-0700.

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This page updated May 27, 2003
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
770-488-0700 or e-mail (news media)