The Simon Law Firm’s Environmental Lawyers Comment on Millersville Landfill

NEWS RELEASE

Feb. 1, 2010

The Simon Law Firm’s Environmental Lawyers Comment on Millersville Landfill

Residents living near Anne Arundel County landfill request third-party monitoring of emissions and groundwater

ST. LOUIS—Some homeowners living near a landfill in Millersville, Md., who have had to put up with a worsening rotten-egg smell from the garbage dump have had enough, The Baltimore Sun reports.

According to the newspaper, about a dozen residents met last week and decided to ask Anne Arundel County, which operates the landfill, to appoint a third party to monitor emissions, including air and groundwater contamination, from the facility.

A spokesman for the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works told the newspaper that steps have been taken to mitigate the smell in one resident’s home.

Meanwhile, in a letter addressing a homeowner’s complaint, the Maryland Department of Environment issued a site complaint concerning the Millersville landfill to Anne Arundel County.

In response, misting stations and technology used to reduce the odor of hydrogen sulfide have been reactivated at the Millersville landfill.

Hydrogen sulfide smells like rotten eggs. Exposure may also trigger such physical symptoms as burning eyes, sore throat, nosebleeds and respiratory problems. At least one resident said she frequently experiences nausea as a result of the smell.

Environmental lawyer Todd Hageman explains, “Hydrogen sulfide is a landfill gas that is often released along with methane. Whereas methane is odorless, hydrogen sulfide has a terrible sulfur smell at low concentrations. In addition to the physical irritation it causes, the released gas may prevent residents from enjoying their property.

“Unfortunately,” Hageman said, “many landfill owners fail to tell residents that they may be entitled to compensation for the loss of use and enjoyment of their home and for the physical symptoms.”

The Simon Law Firm, based in St. Louis, represents people who have lost the use and enjoyment of their property or been hurt as a result of environmental and landfill waste and odors. The firm has represented more than 400 individual clients in claims arising from the negligent operation of 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