PENNSYLVANIA sludge victims Back to Home Page
May 2001 update - compiled by Helane Shields - prepared for WWW by ESRA
www,sludgevictims.net
2002 Update
Pennsylvania -- Page 1 of 13 -- The Tragic Death of Tony Behun from Staphylococcus (MRSA) in sludge biosolids
PA DEP's incompetent investigation, the UMWA's illnesses, Rush Township sued by Synagro, the sludge dumper
Pennsylvania -- Page 1 of 8 -- Tragic Death of Daniel Pennock -- victim of respiratory problems associated with
viral pneumonia and staphylococcal pneumonia believed to be related to sewage sludge biosolids spread near victims
home. PA DEP "investigators" never show up -- never call -- lose victim's telephone number. Relatives and
neighbors suffer numerous boils and abscesses, sore throats, headaches, sinus infections,
gastrointestinal symptoms, ear infections, constant throat irritation, thick, green mucus and breathing
problems
EPA Pathogen Risk Assessment Methodology before Part 503 was implemented:
Staphylococcus and Steptococcus/Streptococcus in sludge were minor pathogens. After sludge
dumping began they became the necrotizing flesh eating bacteria and MRSA
Staph Bacteria can quickly swap genes with relatives to turn into virulent, dangerous germs that cause
disease and resist antibiotics.... Such an easy evolution of drug resistance "Has sent a wave of terror
through people responsible for public health."
Untrue statements made by Mr. Robert Bastian, USEPA to NAS/NRC Committee, and by Water Environment
Federation (WEF), Associated Metropolitian Sewage Agencies (AMSA), and Mr Robert Odette, Synagro,
regarding the death of Tony Behun in Pennsylvania.
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STATEMENT ON INVESTIGATING SLUDGE HEALTH EFFECTS:
DEP is the lead Agency and has exclusive jurisdiction on the use and regulation of biosolids, licensing of
companies, inspection processes and all other related matters -- Department of Health did not conduct an
investigation into Tony Behun's death
Association of Metropolitan Sewage Agencies (AMSA) --Letter to Washington Post criticising it for
publishing Dr. Caroline Snyder's letter concerning deaths from sludge exposure. The regulation
states in Part 503.9(t) if you are exposed to the pollutants (chemicals, metals, pathogens) in sludge
you can expect: death, disease, cancer, etc. Six years earlier, EPA admitted it did not do a risk
assessment for chemicals, metals, or pathogens,
Water Environment Federation (WEF) Letter to the Washington Post concerning the article "Health Fears
over Sludge Spur Quest for Controls." WEF claimed to be a scientific organization. Yet, since 1995, it
has run a public relations program for and funded by EPA to debunk "Horror Stories" caused by so
called treated sludge biosolids.
United Mine Workers of America --1999 -- Members became ill after Class B sludge was spread near their
work area. Sludge victims suffered burning eyes, sore throats, generation of mucus, headaches,
nausea, vomiting, including one requiring medical attention for blood in his vomit. Organic Amine
gases are implicated.
United Mine Workers of America -- 2000 -- Members became ill after Class B sludge was spread near their
work area. Sludge victims suffered burning eyes, sore throats, generation of mucus, headaches,
nausea, vomiting, skin disorder, dizziness, diarrhea, numbness, gastrointestinal problems, including
one requiring medical attention for blood in his vomit.
United Mine Workers of America -- Symptoms of sludge victims -- burning eyes, sore throats, generation of
mucus, headaches, nausea, vomiting, skin disorder, dizziness, diarrhea, numbness, gastrointestinal
problems, fever, fatigue, loss of motor skills.
Coal Township, -- Sludge victims suffer "several illnesses" including meningitis, "problems with their eyes"
and young girl with headaches
Dublin, -- Broken sewer line -- victims suffer respiratory problems, headaches, rashes and "fierce bouts of
diarrhea". Air test show "High levels of Salmonella and other bacteria."
Jackson Township, --- Caustic stench cause sludge victims to suffer irritated nasal passages and sore throats
Kingwood TWP, -- Sludge dumping kill fish in pond, child can't go outside to play, neighbor's dog dies of toxic shock
syndrome
Lenhartsville, -- Sludge victims suffer nausea, tearing eyes, difficulty breathing, undiagnosed infections and boils.
Immunocompromised (Lupus) victim becomes very ill and must leave her home during sludge spreading
Lower Mount Bethel, -- Sludge victims in school district, students and staff, became ill after they were exposed to
strong odors from sludge being spread on land near district's complex.
Snow Shoe, -- Statement by Linda Casher -- Sludge victim suffers diarrhea, cramps and abdominal distress, severe
fatigue, headaches and nausea
Upper Mount Bethel TWP, -- Superintendent threatens to close school -- children and teachers made ill by sludge --
sludge dumpers violate setback requirements -- no enforcement by Pennsylvania DEP
2002 -- 2005 Update
May 2001 update - compiled by Helane Shields - prepared for WWW by ESRA
www,sludgevictims.net
2002 Update
Pennsylvania -- Page 1 of 13 -- The Tragic Death of Tony Behun from Staphylococcus (MRSA) in sludge biosolids
PA DEP's incompetent investigation, the UMWA's illnesses, Rush Township sued by Synagro, the sludge dumper
Pennsylvania -- Page 1 of 8 -- Tragic Death of Daniel Pennock -- victim of respiratory problems associated with
viral pneumonia and staphylococcal pneumonia believed to be related to sewage sludge biosolids spread near victims
home. PA DEP "investigators" never show up -- never call -- lose victim's telephone number. Relatives and
neighbors suffer numerous boils and abscesses, sore throats, headaches, sinus infections,
gastrointestinal symptoms, ear infections, constant throat irritation, thick, green mucus and breathing
problems
EPA Pathogen Risk Assessment Methodology before Part 503 was implemented:
Staphylococcus and Steptococcus/Streptococcus in sludge were minor pathogens. After sludge
dumping began they became the necrotizing flesh eating bacteria and MRSA
Staph Bacteria can quickly swap genes with relatives to turn into virulent, dangerous germs that cause
disease and resist antibiotics.... Such an easy evolution of drug resistance "Has sent a wave of terror
through people responsible for public health."
Untrue statements made by Mr. Robert Bastian, USEPA to NAS/NRC Committee, and by Water Environment
Federation (WEF), Associated Metropolitian Sewage Agencies (AMSA), and Mr Robert Odette, Synagro,
regarding the death of Tony Behun in Pennsylvania.
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STATEMENT ON INVESTIGATING SLUDGE HEALTH EFFECTS:
DEP is the lead Agency and has exclusive jurisdiction on the use and regulation of biosolids, licensing of
companies, inspection processes and all other related matters -- Department of Health did not conduct an
investigation into Tony Behun's death
Association of Metropolitan Sewage Agencies (AMSA) --Letter to Washington Post criticising it for
publishing Dr. Caroline Snyder's letter concerning deaths from sludge exposure. The regulation
states in Part 503.9(t) if you are exposed to the pollutants (chemicals, metals, pathogens) in sludge
you can expect: death, disease, cancer, etc. Six years earlier, EPA admitted it did not do a risk
assessment for chemicals, metals, or pathogens,
Water Environment Federation (WEF) Letter to the Washington Post concerning the article "Health Fears
over Sludge Spur Quest for Controls." WEF claimed to be a scientific organization. Yet, since 1995, it
has run a public relations program for and funded by EPA to debunk "Horror Stories" caused by so
called treated sludge biosolids.
United Mine Workers of America --1999 -- Members became ill after Class B sludge was spread near their
work area. Sludge victims suffered burning eyes, sore throats, generation of mucus, headaches,
nausea, vomiting, including one requiring medical attention for blood in his vomit. Organic Amine
gases are implicated.
United Mine Workers of America -- 2000 -- Members became ill after Class B sludge was spread near their
work area. Sludge victims suffered burning eyes, sore throats, generation of mucus, headaches,
nausea, vomiting, skin disorder, dizziness, diarrhea, numbness, gastrointestinal problems, including
one requiring medical attention for blood in his vomit.
United Mine Workers of America -- Symptoms of sludge victims -- burning eyes, sore throats, generation of
mucus, headaches, nausea, vomiting, skin disorder, dizziness, diarrhea, numbness, gastrointestinal
problems, fever, fatigue, loss of motor skills.
Coal Township, -- Sludge victims suffer "several illnesses" including meningitis, "problems with their eyes"
and young girl with headaches
Dublin, -- Broken sewer line -- victims suffer respiratory problems, headaches, rashes and "fierce bouts of
diarrhea". Air test show "High levels of Salmonella and other bacteria."
Jackson Township, --- Caustic stench cause sludge victims to suffer irritated nasal passages and sore throats
Kingwood TWP, -- Sludge dumping kill fish in pond, child can't go outside to play, neighbor's dog dies of toxic shock
syndrome
Lenhartsville, -- Sludge victims suffer nausea, tearing eyes, difficulty breathing, undiagnosed infections and boils.
Immunocompromised (Lupus) victim becomes very ill and must leave her home during sludge spreading
Lower Mount Bethel, -- Sludge victims in school district, students and staff, became ill after they were exposed to
strong odors from sludge being spread on land near district's complex.
Snow Shoe, -- Statement by Linda Casher -- Sludge victim suffers diarrhea, cramps and abdominal distress, severe
fatigue, headaches and nausea
Upper Mount Bethel TWP, -- Superintendent threatens to close school -- children and teachers made ill by sludge --
sludge dumpers violate setback requirements -- no enforcement by Pennsylvania DEP
2002 -- 2005 Update
