07/04/2006

EPA studies emissions from WRS facility

By Bill O'Brien

bobrien@record-eagle.com

WILLIAMSBURG — Air quality tests outside Williamsburg Receiving and Storage's fruit processing plant don't indicate an imminent public health threat, but state and federal regulators won't downplay the affect of periodic odor problems there.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency commissioned a study to test air quality around WRS' plant to determine if there's a health threat to neighbors and employees. Air samples were taken at dozens of locations on and around the plant for seven days in April.

The air was tested for discharges such as hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds and other materials, emissions that have spurred numerous odor complaints from neighbors in recent years.

The plant also was the site of a major wastewater spill in November. EPA officials said it's the first time the agency tested air quality there.

"We are trying to gather information that hasn't been monitored so far," said Ralph Dollhopf, the EPA's local coordinator for the study. "Clearly, there are things being emitted, and we're beginning to identify those."

The study was forwarded to the Michigan Department of Community Health, and to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

A state health official said the report documents low levels of air contaminants that do not threaten neighbors and employees. But it also documented "pungent, putrid odors" that left the EPA's consultants with burning and watery eyes, headaches and sore throats.

"I don't want to in any way to diminish the impact of the smells and chemicals that are out there," said Linda Dykema, a state health toxicologist.

Nearby resident Robbin Bustance said odor problems seemed less frequent this spring, but that's typical for this time of the year. Neighbors worry what will happen when cherry processing operations ramp up this month.

"It's a down time right now," she said. "But I think the citizens who've been putting up with this for six years should have some answers about what's going to happen."

Dollhopf said EPA is prepared to do more air testing this summer. It's also monitoring cleanup work from last fall's lagoon breach.

"We understand the work we did wasn't necessarily done under worst-case conditions," he said. "The EPA's goal here is to facilitate resolution of these issues."