Soil gas and vapors have affected homes mainly
questionnaires, showed many more health
in the northern area of Hartford. Previous
concerns and symptoms reported by residents
complaints dating from the mid-1960s sug-
in the northeast portion of Hartford. In addition,
gest that combustible air and gas mixtures
the IDPH Division of Epidemiologic Studies
and petroleum odors were present in Hartford
released a cancer incidence report for Hartford
homes. In the 1970s, an explosion and several
in September 2002. The cancer incidence report
fires in Hartford homes were linked to combus-
did not suggest an increase in cancers related to
tible soil gas. By 1992, a vapor recovery system
exposure to VOCs and gasoline in particular.
was operational in Hartford, and it continues to
operate today. The system extends to about two
Warren Recycling, Inc.,
blocks north of the homes affected by vapor
Warren, Ohio
intrusions in May 2002.
In August 2002, ATSDR began an investigation
On May 13, 2002, after several weeks of heavy
of hydrogen sulfide exposure in Warren
rain, residents of Hartford contacted Illinois
Township, Ohio. Community members were
Department of Public Health (IDPH) staff to
report strong fuel odors in their homes. The
ambient air were adversely affecting their health
survey instruments used by Illinois EPA emer-
and the health of their children. Several hundred
gency response staff in the basements of the
residents and thousands of school children live
affected homes measured from 10,000 to 11
and are educated in an area surrounding Warren
million parts per billion (ppb) of total VOCs.
Recycling Inc., a construction and demolition
During the week of May 13, Illinois EPA and
debris landfill that residents and officials believe
IDPH recommended that homes with odors be
ventilated and that residents find alternative
housing until further investigations determined
After collecting health concerns from nearly
that levels of VOCs were no longer an acute
200 residents during ATSDR's first visit, staff
health hazard. IDPH staff placed stainless steel
determined the site as time-critical. Many par-
evacuated canisters in the basements of four
ents were concerned about their children going
homes and collected 24-hour air samples. In
back to school in late August in the affected
addition to high total VOC levels, the results of
area. Residents consistently reported health con-
these samples showed benzene levels as high as
330 ppb.
headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue,
eye irritation, and weight loss, among others.
Residents returned to their homes in June, but
ATSDR determined that site conditions posed
IDPH continued to sample affected homes
a public health hazard. Limited air sampling
periodically to determine background levels for
the basement air. Environmental sampling has
in air sufficiently elevated to affect the health
shown a return to background levels of VOCs
of residents and cause symptoms many had
indoors during the summer months. Staff mem-
bers from the IDPH, the Illinois Environmental
ranged as high as 13 parts per million (ppm) in
Protection Agency, and the Madison County
outdoor air.
Health Department, with the support of the
Village of Hartford, hand-delivered a question-
ATSDR created a multi-agency committee to
naire to about 550 addresses in Hartford. The
form and carry out a public health action plan
survey results, compiled from 112 completed
that addressed the recommendations made by
22 chapter 1
Previous Page
