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How landfill odors can bring down a town and decrease property value
If you live in Bolivar, Ohio, you have the misfortune of being well acquainted with the toxic odors that waft over from landfills. These odors have brought down property value, nearly eliminated tourism, and made quality of life, well, stink. Residents living in or near the area, which is ten miles southwest of Canton, Ohio, are angry and frustrated by their current situation. The cause of their frustration can all be traced back to the negligence of Countywide Recycling & Disposal who owns the smelly landfill. Countrywide allowed a significant amount of waste from the landfill to slip over the disposal area (Times Reporter).
Weitz & Luxenberg understands the issues plaguing residents near landfills. We have aided the residents of Bolivar, Ohio in the past by helping them file odor lawsuits against Countywide Recycling & Disposal. Those affected by landfill odors have the right to compensation. Contact Weitz & Luxenberg today for a free legal consultation.
How bad is the smell?
It is like a dead pig festering on three dozen year-old eggs surrounded by cat urine.
"Now, I'm very afraid. I'm telling you I'm afraid to send [my daughter] to school…I want to know what they're going to do to fix it and control it," said one parent at a town meeting held just outside of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.
This particular landfill is controlled by the Allied Waste Company. A representative of Allied Waste said that they were taking steps to remedy the errors that caused the rancid odors (The Pittsburgh Channel). In 2011, the total amount of fines Allied Waste had to pay was over $900,000 (WPXI News).
Landfill odors depress property value 12.9% on average
Richard C. Read, in his article “Do Landfills Always Depress Nearby Property Values?” states that, “landfills that accept high volumes of waste (500 tons per day or more) decrease adjacent residential property values by 12.9%, on average.” This means that a $175,000 home will lose $22,575 – dropping its worth well below the median property value.
What are landfill odors?
Landfill odors happen when bacteria breaks down waste in a landfill over time, and gases are released. These gases usually have an unpleasant odor, and depending on the size and proximity you are to the landfill, the odors can sometimes be overwhelming. The most common sources of landfill gases are sulfides and ammonia.
Aluminum Dross: A Highly Flammable and Offensive Smelling Waste Product
Aluminum dross “consists of metal, salt oxides and other non-metallic materials. “ It is categorized into two separate types: black dross, which “is dry, granular, has a low metal content and high amounts of oxides and salts” and white dross which is “wet, has a high metal content and smaller amounts of oxides and salts.” (Ohio Landfills) In addition to being environmentally hazardous, aluminum dross is highly flammable and emits a strong, distinctive odor, similar to that of ammonia.
Although normal landfill odors do not pose a significant health risk, they do decrease property value and diminish quality of life. Usually, if a landfill odor becomes this severe, it is due to a negligent waste disposal company like Countywide Recycling & Disposal mentioned above (Georgia Environmental Health Association).
How Weitz & Luxenberg can help
Weitz & Luxenberg can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. With millions of dollars in favorable toxic tort verdicts and settlements, we are confident that our highly qualified and specialized environmental pollutant attorneys can help you in your landfill odor case. Simply fill out the form on this page for your free landfill odor case evaluation. It is easy, confidential, and binds you in no way to our law firm. Fill out the form on this page, and a Weitz and Luxenberg representative will contact you shortly to discuss your legal options.
Sources:
http://www.timesreporter.com/communities/tuscarawas/x459823698/EPA-More-work-to-be-done-at-landfill
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/r/18911928/detail.html
http://www.wpxi.com/news/26354646/detail.html
http://www.ohiolandfills.org/?page_id=34
http://www.geha-online.org/Attachments/Publications/LandfillGas.pdf
see also:
Noxious Odors
Fuming Mad: Unhealthy Conditions Created by Noxious Landfill OdorUncontrolled, noxious landfill odors cause serious problems for nearby residents
Aluminum Dross Hazards
Aluminum Dross: A hazard to your health and the environment Aluminum Dross: A Health and Environmental Hazard
Phthalates
Phthalates and Birth Defects | Occupation Exposure May Lead to TDSDid phthalates exposure at work cause birth defects? Free legal review
