Health officials await state word on hydrogen sulfide health impacts


  • February 24, 2015
  • /   Shannon Nickinson
  • /   community-dashboard
Escambia County public health officials are awaiting a consultation from the Florida Department of Health on the health significance of hydrogen sulfide emitted from a Wedgewood landfill facility. Marie Mott, public information officer for the Escambia County office of the Health Department said that a written health consultation by the state Health Department is pending. The consultation is to determine the health significance of hydrogen sulfide emitted from the Rolling Hills Landfill, Mott says. "We anticipate it’s release soon," she says. On July 22, the county Health Department issued a health alert that prompted the cancellation of youth summer camp at the Wedgewood Community Center based on hydrogen sulfide levels detected. The Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Debris  Recycling facility in Wedgewood has drawn questions from residents who are concerned that the gas, which smells like rotten eggs, is a respiratory irritant. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued a notice of revocation of Rolling Hills' permit last summer. That action is under appeal. An administrative law judge is expected to rule on that appeal soon. Rolling Hills is only one landfill in the Wedgewood area that has drawn neighbors concerns about the health and quality of life impact on communities where such facilities are located. This week, county staff are working out the details of a public alert system that would tell residents when hydrogen sulfide levels detected by county air quality monitoring equipment exceeds a certain level. Commissioners extended a moratorium on permitting new CD&D and land clearing debris pits until Aug. 21 while the county works out new rules regarding the permitting of such facilities.    
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