Escambia Issues Air Quality Health Alert For Wedgewood Area

July 22, 2014

Effective immediately, in response to air quality monitoring, the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) is issuing a health alert for the area surrounding the Wedgewood Community Center and the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill in Escambia County.

Air quality monitoring has been performed by Escambia County at the Wedgewood Community Center (6405 Wagner Road, Pensacola). This center is adjacent to the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill located at 6990 Rolling Hills Road, Pensacola. The monitoring has revealed elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide in the air at a minimum level of concern for long term exposure to humans. Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas which often has an odor similar to rotten eggs, but which may have no detectable smell when present in low concentrations. However, even low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas can have negative health effects.

Exposure to hydrogen sulfide may cause respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation in some individuals. People experiencing respiratory symptoms should consult their physician for treatment and should stay inside their homes.  According to FDOH-Escambia’s Director, Dr. John Lanza, “While inside, people should close their windows, run their cooling/heating system, and change their system’s filter, as needed. If symptoms persist while inside an air conditioned home, people may choose to leave the area until their symptoms are tolerable.”

Persons who have questions about health problems or symptoms they may be experiencing related to hydrogen sulfide exposure should contact their primary care physician. Those who have asthma or other chronic lung disease should follow their disease management plan, and should call their doctor if symptoms worsen. For medical emergencies, call 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency facility.

The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County will continue to evaluate air quality monitoring results, as reported by Escambia County. Any further recommendations and alerts will be released as more information becomes available.

Comments

5 Responses to “Escambia Issues Air Quality Health Alert For Wedgewood Area”

  1. Gene on July 23rd, 2014 5:40 pm

    I tried to complain years ago, when I heard that the Contaminated soil from the Fairfield demolished homes was being moved there…

  2. Harmony on July 22nd, 2014 8:58 pm

    So my question is how far away do the fumes reach? I live about 1 mile away and my son has been having respiratory issues and the doctor thought it was allergies although he has never had them before. He had been practicing football close to there. How long has this been going on? Where is it coming from? How long is it expected to last? Who can we call to find out?

  3. 429SCJ on July 22nd, 2014 4:04 pm

    I remember working at the refinery on Big Escambia Creek, when the hydrogen sulfide alarms would go off. We would look to see which way the wind sock was pointing and scurry upwind.

    Sounds like those people around Wedgewood need a Scott Air Pack and a good law firm.

  4. Porscha Beard on July 22nd, 2014 3:22 pm

    Leave and go where? Who is paying for relocation? What good is it to leave your home if you eventually have to come back? What about long term conditions?

  5. Bluesman on July 22nd, 2014 2:17 pm

    H2S gas RUN People I don’t care what they say it is deadly

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News