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Our neighbors report strong odors on average 22 days a month. Our noses and bodies are our first line of defense, alerting us to possible dangers. Though our noses can detect petrochemical toxins below dangerous levels, most of the time the odors we smell in our neighborhood come with immediate acute health symptoms, such as skin, eyes, nose and throat irritation, headache, and upset stomach. It is also true that just because we don’t smell something, it doesn’t mean we aren’t being exposed to dangerous levels of toxins. Some toxins, such as benzene, smell sweet. Deodorizers are also commonly used to cover up pungent odors, making both the odor nuisance at low levels and much more dangerous higher levels undetectable. Recently, many residents have reported smelling laundry detergent and cleaning product type odors in the air with no source in sight.
We are currently in the process of collecting odor logs over the course of the next year while MDEQ is conducting their community air pollution study. In September and October of 2014, five residents recorded odor and health symptoms daily. They were instructed not to communicate with one another about what each recorded and to record each day even when no odor was detected and to document odors that occurred more than once a day. They noted the severity and duration of the odors and any health symptoms they experienced.
Odors (mostly moderate to severe) were detected by at least one participant for 28 out of the 29 days.
More than one person detected an odor for 27 of 28 days.
At least one person experienced immediate symptoms, such as headache, itchy skin, and burning eyes, nose, and/or throat, for 26 out of the 28 days.
Noise and dust are also a health concern for us. We have not had much success advocating for noise ordinances, but we have had some success controlling dust, also known as particulate matter PM. Because of our consistent reporting for nearly three years, VT Halter Marine (now Bollinger) was forced to build an enclosure to keep fugitive emissions from leaving their property. While this has led to a reduction, we are still finding dust particles similar to what we have seen in the past on our property. We have witnessed and reported to MDEQ outdoor sandblasting and improper use of their enclosure.
Image of Bollinger sandblasting with the door open, May 2024
We are finishing up a noise pollution study with Brown University. The results should be published later this year. Earlier this year, we conducted a air pollution study using low cost sensors in partnership with Caroline Frischmon with the University of Colorado's Hannigan Air Quality Lab. Click here to learn more about that study.
For many years now, we have collected PM data using a Purple Air monitor located inside our neighborhood. As you can see in the graph below, air quality conditions are less than ideal for more than half of the days with a few days reaching what is considered dangerous levels. We suspect Bollinger and Chevron as the two most likely sources of pollution. We are still conducting further investigations to pinpoint sources of the spikes we see as shown in the graph below.
Note: 0-50: Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk with 24 hours of exposure.
With the help of volunteer scientists through the American Geophysical Union's Thriving Earth Exchange program, Dr. Katharine Duderstadt and Caroline Frischmon, we created the following Industrial Pollution Impact Report. The information in this report reflects data collected for our 2014 and 2021 health surveys. (Out of the ~130 households in Cherokee Forest, 97 responded to the 2014 health survey. 80 individuals responded to the 2021 survey)
Noise, dust, and odor health impacts in Cherokee Forest
Overview
Noise, dust, and odors trespassing into residents’ homes and yards can cause
significant health impacts for those chronically exposed to the pollution. We
outline some potential health risks collectively faced by Cherokee Forest residents from these pollutants in the following document. Some of these health risks are already reported at high levels by residents of Cherokee Forest. Based on this information, we call on public officials to identify opportunities to better protect this
community.
Odors
Odors are more than just an annoyance for Cherokee Forest residents; they are
sometimes the only clue that otherwise invisible air toxins are present in the area. The smell has been so overwhelming that residents have been occasionally forced to leave their homes, even over the holidays when they would otherwise be celebrating at home.
The most frequently reported odors in the neighborhood are a sweet, fuel-like smell, a smell of rotten eggs, and a smell of ammonia or cat urine. All three odors indicate the presence of pollutants that make humans sick.
In 2021, 96% of Cherokee Forest survey respondents reported strong odors. They were bothered by the odors an average of 22.6 days of the month prior to the survey.
Dust and PM2.5
Residents frequently find their cars and homes coated in dust. Sometimes the dust has a sticky, oily consistency, and other times it is rough and sandy. Lab testing from a particularly dusty day confirmed that sandblasting materials like those used at shipbuilding yards were a major component of the rough, sandy dust.
Dust is a major source of small particles in the air, which are also called PM10. These particles can cause health problems when inhaled. Particles in the air that are even smaller than dust, called PM2.5, can pass through the lungs and lead to even more serious health issues. Major sources of PM2.5 include metals and smoke from combustion (burning processes).
Noise
Noise is an often overlooked form of
pollution. Our thoughts, attention, and sleep are interrupted in noisy environments. Noise pollution can lead to serious physical and mental health issues, including heart disease, sleep disturbance, stress-related illness, and cognitive impairment in children.
The World Health Organization has found that noise pollution is the second-leading environmental cause of human health problems, behind only air pollution. Industrial noise reportedly reaches the Cherokee subdivision 24 hours a day and frequently wakes residents up in the middle
of the night. In a 2021 survey in the
subdivision, 41% of respondents reported increased fatigue and 23% reported sleep disturbances. We all deserve a restful night’s sleep, and Cherokee Forest residents are suffering without it.
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