UPDATE: Residents of Mentor, Ohio, are demanding immediate action as toxic sewer gas has been detected in their neighborhood, leading to a state investigation by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This alarming discovery comes after years of complaints about a noxious, rotten egg-like odor that has plagued the Woodhill subdivision.
For years, residents endured the overpowering stench that they describe as “walking with a dirty diaper on your face.” Complaints to local officials went largely ignored, forcing residents to escalate their concerns directly to the EPA in April 2023. Their actions prompted an investigation revealing dangerous levels of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas linked to serious health risks, in the sewer system upstream from their homes.
Longtime resident Dennis Ryan expressed frustration over the delayed response: “Is it going to take someone dying from this before something gets done?” He, along with other neighbors, has reported worsening conditions, with the odor now infiltrating their homes and causing physical distress.
After joint inspections in August 2023, the EPA confirmed the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the sewer system, with readings exceeding 1,000 parts per million, classified as immediately dangerous to life and health. Investigators traced the contamination upstream to a manhole near the Erie International Group, an industrial facility suspected of contributing to the problem.
Local officials are now taking steps to address the crisis. Lake County Utilities has installed odor-control scrubbers and increased chemical treatments to mitigate the hazardous gas. Additionally, monitoring efforts have intensified as the county seeks to identify the source of the contamination.
The troubling history of complaints dates back to September 2018, when reports of sewer odors first emerged. Despite numerous complaints, local authorities failed to take decisive action, leading residents to feel neglected and dismissed. “We are tired of being dismissed. This is not going away, and neither are we,” said Shane Bergoch, a neighbor who documented the issue and first contacted the EPA.
Health experts caution that exposure to hydrogen sulfide can lead to severe health problems, including respiratory issues and even death in extreme cases. Dr. Ryan Marino, a medical toxicologist, stated, “At low levels, it’s very irritating, burning eyes and throat. At higher levels, it can cause loss of consciousness.”
As the situation develops, residents are urged to document any odor events and report symptoms to the Lake County General Health District or the EPA. Officials from the Ohio EPA have indicated that corrective actions will be mandated for the Erie facility, although the timeline remains unclear.
The urgent nature of this situation has mobilized the community, with residents advocating for their safety and demanding accountability from local authorities. “What if it got higher? If I didn’t get out of the house, would I be dead?” questioned Ryan, highlighting the pervasive fear gripping the neighborhood.
As investigations continue and actions are being implemented, the residents of Mentor remain vigilant, hoping for a resolution to end the years of suffering and danger posed by the toxic conditions in their community.
