In a health consultation released today, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) concludes that hydrogen sulfide levels in ambient (outdoor) air in Warren Township (Ohio ) community could pose a health threat to local residents and children. This conclusion is based on air data collected in May and June 2002, and some 60 interviews with residents at a public availability session Tuesday, August 6, 2002.

Health concerns reported by residents consistently included headaches, nausea, vomiting, conjunctivitis ("pink eye"), fatigue and weight loss. Scientific data document that these symptoms can be caused by hydrogen sulfide exposure. ATSDR determined that hydrogen sulfide levels reported in Warren Township could potentially result in many of these symptoms. The levels of hydrogen sulfide reported in the community are not at levels that could cause permanent injury or serious harm, but could cause discomfort and short-term illnesses, like those previously mentioned.

Elevated hydrogen sulfide levels in outdoor air are likely caused by industrial sources, such as the Warren Recycling facility on Martin Luther King Blvd. Construction and demolition debris in landfills can produce hydrogen sulfide gas through the breakdown of waste materials, such as gypsum wallboard. ATSDR and local authorities have not identified all possible industrial sources of hydrogen sulfide in the area.

Hydrogen sulfide can also be occur naturally in groundwater and may be present in local drinking water wells. Hydrogen sulfide gas in residential well water is more likely to affect indoor air rather than outdoor air. Hydrogen sulfide may also be formed by sulfur bacteria that can occur naturally in water. These bacteria use the sulfur in decaying plants, rocks or soil as their food, and they produce hydrogen sulfide as a by-product. In Ohio, geologic deposits of sulfur are usually in the same places as oil and gas deposits, as well as in coal deposits.

The identification of these sources and their contribution to exposure to both adults and children warrants further investigation.

ATSDR is recommending the following follow-up activities:

• Collect and evaluate additional outdoor air data.
  
• Collect and evaluate indoor air samples from homes both near the landfill and away from the landfill.
  
• Collect and evaluate groundwater from homes using private wells.
  
• Install hydrogen sulfide alarms in Leavitt Elementary and LaBrae High Schools.

ATSDR is currently working with federal, state and local agencies to address local residents' health concerns. A multi-agency team has been assembled to determine the next steps to further assess hydrogen sulfide exposure and to protect the health of the public.

ATSDR's public health consultation will be available for public review at the following repository(s) on or about Wednesday, September 18, 2002.

For more information about the health consultation, community members may contact Lynn Wilder or Michelle Colledge, toll free, at 1-888-422-8237. Callers should refer to the Warren Township site when requesting assistance. ATSDR is a federal public health agency under the Department of Health and Human Services.

Editors:A fact sheet is available on this topic.If you want a copy sent to you please e-mail us at atsdrmediainquiries@cdc.gov or call (404) 498-0070.