ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Department of Health determined Monday that there were no health risks during a three-month air quality study in neighborhoods around an Orange County landfill.
But Channel 9 learned that the latest smell reduction project is behind schedule.
The county cautioned people about the smell intensifying after workers started drilling holes in a trash pile earlier this year.
Two weeks ago, Channel 9 reported that crews were about to activate a network of gas wells designed to suck the nasty smell underground, but the work was delayed.
"This morning it was bad," said resident Laura Duncan.
Neighbors in Randal Park were part of the record number of complaints last month stemming from the stink that stretches for miles around the Orange County landfill.
"We give it a week or a month, or however long they tell us, and it doesn't get any better," said resident Tiffany Comiskey.
Residents said they had hoped that underground gas wells promised for final activation last week would mean they could finally go outside in the early morning or late evening.
"We asked the contractor to bring on extra staff and they have. We hope to have it done by the midpoint of next week," said Orange County landfill manager Jim Becker.
Becker said he's encouraged by the report from the Department of Health that said the amount of hydrogen sulfide leaking from the landfill is "not likely to cause health problems."
But it also said the department "cannot determine the public health impacts near the landfill before July," which is when 24/7 air monitoring went into effect.
"I'm relieved to hear a statement about that. But the problem for me is more that the smell is really uncomfortable and unpleasant in a place I just moved into," said resident Will Budreau.
Other neighbors said they wonder whether the Department of Health is right about the risk, and whether the landfill will use the good report as an excuse to stop fighting the smell.
"We're dedicated to getting this to be a better situation for folks and reduce those odors," said Becker.
Department of Health officials will be in town Nov. 15 and will have an open house to answer questions about the health impact.
Cox Media Group
