- Last Updated on Monday, 01 July 2013 00:08
By Christina Walko
Three Tervita landfill representatives showed up at the Rostraver Commissioner’s meeting on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 armed with charts, graphs and explanations as to why residents are still experiencing the stench that leaves noses burning, throats sore and eyebrows raised as to the safety of living in areas close to the landfill, located at 200 Connor Lane.
Three Tervita landfill representatives showed up at the Rostraver Commissioner’s meeting on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 armed with charts, graphs and explanations as to why residents are still experiencing the stench that leaves noses burning, throats sore and eyebrows raised as to the safety of living in areas close to the landfill, located at 200 Connor Lane.
Residents fear the landfill is accumulating naturally radioactive byproducts from gas drillings that could cause long-term health hazards to themselves and their families.
Tervita Vice President, Micheal S. Woods said that he wanted to take the time to convince people that the landfill is safe, in compliance with all regulations and that every material disposed of at their site is legal. He explained the progress the company is making on installing gas abstraction wells and said the site has doubled the amount of landfill gas they’ve been collecting. But nevertheless, the original issue, the stench in the air, is still present, even stronger now, according to some.
“We’ve had to put up with a lot," said Patton Road resident Ema Kotch. "Last week I smelled the chemicals and it seemed worse – we can’t take their word for it.”
The twelve or so residents who grilled the Tervita representatives were certainly not taking their word that all is safe. At the very least, they were concerned that just the strong stench is causing colds, sore throats, burning eyes, nausea and stress dizziness and are wondering about the long-term health effects of that. Resident Debbie Fought brought in a review from Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registery (ATSDR), and asked for a second opinion on air monitoring, besides that which was conducted by the DEP.
Residents are asking again that independent testing be done and provided a list of potential the commissioners a list of companies that could be used. Commissioner Andy Temoshenko said the Board would be willing to look into this if the cost was reasonable and invited Wood and his company to share in the cost.
Resident Cheryl Meyers suggested bringing the matter to Attoney General Kane’s attention. A retired environmental consultant, Therese Aigner, was brought in. Ms. Aigner discussed purported dangers of the cumulative effects of low-level radioactive material at the site.
“No one knows something is wrong until they have a physical reaction or their health deteriorates because of radioactivity exposure,” said Aigner.
In response to Aigner, Tervita’s John Swalbe said, “That is a lot of good information but it’s about a different industry. We don’t take hazardous waste.” Woods added that nothing the landfill has accepted has been either toxic or hazardous.
While Tervita is called a Residual Waste Facility, it does accept trucks containing “TENORM”, (Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material). A truck that contained Marcellus Shale drill cuttings that was turned down at a North Huntington landfill yet was accepted at Tervita was the subject of some controversy at last month’s meeting. Woods clarified that the Tervita landfill could accept the truck only because they are equipped to handle dealing with such disposal safely and under state-mandated regulations.
Tervita is permitted to take materials at up to 140 micorrems – miniscule units that measure radiation. The North Huntingdon landfill’s limit was 10 microrems. “No two landfills are alike,”said Woods, “All trucks must pass a waste approval process and we were able to take that truck only because we were equipped to handle it.”
The explanations and the data don’t add up to most residents. The ever present stench which is the original problem, has not improved despite the company continually updating the commissioners on what they are doing about it.
“Do me a favor,” said resident Dave Williams who lives across from the landfill and has complained about being bombarded by dust from trucks and the facility,“Buy my property.”
As to why the smell has been so bad, Rostraver resident Cheryl Meyers attributes it to a 250% increase in the landfills business and to liquid and solid wastes producing chemical reactions. The company says it attempts to layer the waste products so they don’t mix.
Dr. George Felder of Lenity School Road has complained of health issues and says that while all may be permissible and legal, some people have comprimised immune systems and are not as strong as others.
“Between the smell and the chemical reactions going on at your landfill, your contributing to the areas medical problems. And we are the guinea pigs.”
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