Legal PR: The Simon Law Firm’s Environmental Lawyers Provide an Update on The East End Landfill

NEWS RELEASE

April 23, 2010

Foul odors linked to construction and demolition landfill in Virginia’s Henrico County

ST. LOUIS—Since December, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports, residents of eastern Henrico County, Va., have been subjected to a persistent odor of rotten eggs.

After receiving numerous complaints about the odor, which seems to be the strongest in the morning and evening, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality assessed air quality in the area. The test results revealed that decomposing drywall dumped at The East End Landfill (TEEL) was releasing hydrogen sulfide, a gas that smells like rotten eggs.

The 150-acre facility, located in Richmond, only accepts construction debris. According to Richard Weeks, DEQ’s chief deputy, some of the material was left exposed to the air. Unfortunately, residents living in nearly 1,000 homes close to TEEL have had to endure the smell.

The odor of hydrogen sulfide, which is particularly pungent, may force people to stay indoors in an attempt to avoid it. It can trigger such physical symptoms as burning eyes, sore throat, nosebleeds, nausea and respiratory problems.

On April 19, TEEL’s owner submitted an odor-management plan proposing frequent checks of air quality, limitation of the time debris is exposed to the air and covering of debris to limit odor migration.

Environmental lawyer Todd Hageman explains, “To bring hydrogen sulfide gas emissions under control within a landfill, sufficient measures must be taken to control the gas production as well as manage new incoming waste.”

Hageman adds, “People can smell hydrogen sulfide at concentrations as low as 0.5 pbb, the odor threshold. Offsite emissions above the odor threshold must be abated – not limited.”

The Simon Law Firm is a St. Louis-based firm that represents people who have lost the use and enjoyment of their property or been hurt as a result of environmental and landfill hazards. The firm has represented more than 700 individual clients in claims arising from the negligent operation of construction and demolition landfills. For more information, contact Todd Hageman by calling 877-767-3108 or e-mailing THageman@simonlawpc.com.

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CONTACT:

The Simon Law Firm
Todd Hageman 877-767-3108
THageman@simonlawpc.com
www.simonlawpc.com