The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today announced the beginning of its air monitoring program for South Sioux City and Dakota City, Nebraska.

The purpose of the air monitoring is to characterize indoor and outdoor concentrations of hydrogen sulfide over time in various neighborhoods. ATSDR is testing for hydrogen sulfide after finding levels of the gas in some homes in the area. Members of a citizens' group requested that ATSDR investigate in response to complaints from residents about odors and health problems.

The air monitoring is being done using a tapemeter. The tapemeter works by drawing in air from its surroundings and passing the air over a section of sampling tape. The tape is treated with a chemical which changes colors in the presence of hydrogen sulfide.

Residents of the two communities volunteered to have air monitors placed at their homes for the next 10 to 12 months. Fourteen locations around South Sioux City and Dakota City have been selected from a pool of volunteers. The locations include areas where ATSDR suspects very low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide. Actual locations of the monitors are not being disclosed to protect the privacy of participants.

The program is entirely voluntary, and participants can stop taking part in the program at any time. A technical assistance hotline has been provided to each of the volunteers. Information collected during the air monitoring project will be used in support of ATSDR's proposed neurobehavioral health investigation which is anticipated to begin in the fall or winter of 1999.

For more information about the hydrogen sulfide monitoring program in South Sioux City and Dakota City, contact ATSDR's Steve Inserra, toll free, at 1-888-42ATSDR (1-888-422-8737). Denise Jordan-Izaguirre, ATSDR's Senior Regional Representative, may also be contacted at (913) 551-7692 in Kansas City.