Odor Report April 18, 2020

For

Zellwood, Tangerine, Surrounding Neighborhoods

April 18, 2020

A Note From the Editor

It's been six days since the infamous Easter Sunday Stink of April 12th. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Orange County got so many complaints that weekend that FDEP sent an inspector out to Jones Avenue on Easter Monday. The inspector detected odors outside the boundaries of Anuvia and Shelley's Septic Tanks.

Both businesses are under consent orders to make changes so that their odors don't exceed their boundaries. Both of these businesses have a history of violating their operating permits. Understand that their business properties are large, this isn't a matter of odors escaping a small lot. 

An e-mail from Ashley Gardner of FDEP after this event indicated that the consent orders are being examined and possibly changes will occur. 

Call and write e-mails when you smell the odors. Don't give up, that is what the offending businesses want us to do.

Send your e-mails to these people

(you can copy and paste these)

david.smicherko@FloridaDEP.gov
EPDcomplaints@ocfl.net  
ashley.gardner@dep.state.fl.us  
mayor@ocfl.net
robert.spivey@ocfl.net

Copy your e-mails to these people

phil.kane@dep.state.fl.us 
chris.testerman@ocfl.net
district2@ocfl.net
daniel.vanegas@ocfl.net
jon.weiss@ocfl.net
maurice.barker@dep.state.fl.us
david.jones2@ocfl.net
bradley.campbell@OCFL.NET
jennifer.moreau@ocfl.net
joel.prinsell@ocfl.net
erin.hartigan@ocfl.net
kelley.rose@ocfl.net
shally.wong@ocfl.net
maria.repass@ocfl.net  
wanda.parker@ocfl.net

Don't forget to leave a google review for Anuvia and Shelley's.

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Odor Reports

April 18, 2020

Responder 1: So, it is 1 am and it smells horrible outside... but you know what? I would rather it smell like that, at this time of day than another... we are only up this late due to my fiance being on night shift thanks to the COVID-19. I would rather enjoy cleaner air during normal hours, but it is what it is. We only get to enjoy the night's cleaner air and somewhat weekend that we do have...

OP [Original Poster] Response: Send a complaint to ashley.gardner@dep.state.fl.us

Responder 1:  I would rather them do whenever they are doing at this time vs normal family hours. As long as it's approved and regulated of course.

OP Response: It's not regulated or approved. They are in violation of consent orders with Orange County and the State and were served notice of such this past Monday. They aren't supposed to have odors leave their boundaries. They need to fix or replace their biofilter in their machine. They spent almost 100 million to build that place, they can spend a little more to make it run right.

It's 1:34 and now I can't smell it. It's weird how it comes and goes. [Responder 1 lives a significant distance up the road from the OP and the wind shifted. She may have been still able to smell it but she didn't respond after this.]

Responder 2: I would rather NEVER have this smell and the chemical residue that comes with it. I don’t care what time of day it occurs. It is unacceptable and affects our health. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. There are residents who have to be out at various times during a 24 hour day based on work schedule. They need fresh air as much as those who work during the day. No smells should leave Anuvia grounds or airspace.

Responder 3: [Comment made of R2] 100% agree with you! The toxicity is permeating.

OP: I am congested [again] today and find myself constantly clearing my throat and with stuffy ears. It's impossible that these chemicals are impacting our respiratory health.

Responder 2: I also just realized my throat is a bit sore. The last couple of days it has been fine

OP: It's the same with me.

Responder 2: Coro-nuvia strikes again.

..........

OP: It's 8:53 am. There is a poopy smell at REDACTED King Street in Zellwood. Between Grant St and Union.Can't stay on deck. 75 degrees wind WSW 8 mph 80 percent humidity.

Responder: In my estimation, Zellwood is the dumping grounds for Orange County. I am glad you have the attention of the EPA. I lived with breathing hydrogen sulfide gas for so many years from the landfill off of Ponkan Rd. behind NOCIA. Bob Sindler was the County Commissioner at the time. I am one mile, as the crow flies from this landfill. I actually have not smelled it in a while though. Thank the good Lord. However, it took many years to get anyone's attention. When Fred Brummer was county commissioner he helped get the ball rolling for the landfill operators to install automatic flares that would burn off the gas. Believe me, I have a folder of complaints and emails to Orange County Commissioners and the EPA from that period. They did not, of course, believe the complaints until they started coming out to check when I called as it was happening. Don't give up that is what they want us to do. EPA would come by my home to check and the owners of the landfill finally reached out. AS I said it took years for the county to insist that the owners comply with landfill regulations.

..........

OP: 1:00 pm I smell Anuvia fertilizer/chemical smell. Dudley/Dora. 72 degrees, the wind is coming in from the south with 87% humidity. 

Responder 1: Earlier today at 9:30 am: smell at Jones Road while driving S on 441. Not raining yet. Return drive 11:30: 7/10 smell from Jones road to Sadler with windows up in the car. Annuvia chemical smell-wind WSW: 73 degrees and 100 percent raining.

OP: Gross.

Responder 2: 1 pm: It’s stinky here at the Laurels of Mount Dora.

Responder 3: 1 pm: I smell it too on Lake Ola Drive.

..........

Letters

..........

Sent to the group today- letter and reply

Sent March 30, 2010

Dear Governor Desantis,

I feel guilty writing to you so soon after my last email as I know you are totally overwhelmed with the virus crisis.

The air quality in Tangerine is totally unacceptable. Fortunately for us today the wind is coming from the North.

I grew up in Kent, Ohio and Akron, Ohio at the time was the tire capital of the world. All the major tire companies had their manufacturing plants in Akron and when you went through Akron the smell was horrendous and you had to keep the car windows up.

Friday morning when I let my dogs out in the morning I could have sworn I was in Akron. It was the exact same high sulfur smell. After only a couple of minutes outside my eyes, nose and throat were burning. My dogs usually like to stay out in the morning when it is cooler, however, they did their business and ran right back in.

I spoke with the assistant to the commissioner who advised that the county cannot do anything, it is up to the state EPA. You see, we have two facilities that are contributing to the air quality problem. One is Shelley's Septic which has violated several codes, zoning ordinances and dumps waste before it is properly treated. The county could do something about some of these issues, however, they are saying it is up to the state. Shelley's has threatened litigation against the county.

The second problem is with Anuvia Biosolids which is a fertilizer plant and the source of the chemical smells. Anuvia allegedly entered into a consent order with the county, however, we have been unable to obtain a copy. Anuvia is now in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are times when the smell actually seeps into my house in the middle of the night and I wake up in a coughing fit.

The corona virus attacks the respiratory system and we are all having compromised respiratory systems due to these two businesses ruining the quality of the air we breathe. We cannot go outside, work in our yards or go walking for exercise.

I am once again asking your assistance in getting some intervention from the state once the virus situation is resolved. We have been putting up with this for nearly nine months now and desperately need a solution.

Thank you so much for your time. If there is anything I could personally do to assist during this crisis, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

REDACTED

REPLY

Dear REDACTED,

Thank you for writing Governor DeSantis regarding these concerns. As mentioned below your email was forwarded by the Office of the Governor to both the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). We are responding on behalf of the Governor for the FDOH.

1. We are sorry hear about the irritating sulfur smell you are experiencing. The smell is most likely associated with the release of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is a gas that spreads into the air. Places with elevated hydrogen sulfide releases include, but are not limited to, landfills, sewage treatment plants, natural gas plants, tanneries, swamps, and tide flats. Community members living near theses places are often concerned that those odors will make them sick. At low levels, it is hard to tell whether it is the chemical itself or the related odors that make people feel ill. Breathing low to moderate levels of hydrogen sulfide may irritate the eyes, nose, or throat. People with asthma may find it harder to breathe. At higher levels, hydrogen sulfide may also sometimes cause headaches, poor memory, tiredness, and balance problems. In most cases, health effects fade when people can no longer smell the odor and/or are no longer exposed to e hydrogen sulfide release. Further, those odors are usually very noticeable either in the morning or in the evening. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid going outside during these times of the day when odors are noticeable. Hydrogen sulfide is not known to cause cancer in humans.
2. It is appropriate for you to bring your concerns regarding outside air pollution to FDEP’s Approved Local Air Pollution Control Programs. It is our understanding that Tangerine is in Orange County, Florida. According to FDEP, Division of Air Resource Management’s website the Approved Local Air Pollution Control Program in Orange County is as follows:

Orange CountyEnvironmental Protection Division
Air Quality Management Section

3165 McCrory Place, Suite 200
Orlando, FL 32803-3727
Phone: 407-836-1400

Regulatory Compliance Program Coordinator: Wanda Parker | Wanda.Parker@ocfl.net
Compliance: Ilka Bundy | Ilka.Bundy@ocfl.net
Permitting: Rovindra Churaman | Rovindra.Churaman@ocfl.net

If for some reason you are unsatisfied with the response by the Approved Local Air Pollution Control Program then consider contacting FDEP’s Central District Compliance Assurance Program:

COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE CONTACTSNAMEPHONEEMAILAir Resources (stationary sources of air pollution; fugitive emissions; odors; open burning; excessive dust)Daniel Hall407-897-4167Daniel.K.Hall@FloridaDEP.gov

1. While FDOH no longer regulates land application of septage, it continues to regulate septage hauling services. Septage disposal and biosolid or septage land application is regulated by FDEP. We are copying the FDOH in Orange County Environmental Health Program director (David Overfield) with a request to investigate the site for compliance with the FDOH service permit. We are also copying Maurice Barker of FDEP regarding compliance issues with FDEP septage disposal requirements.

We hope you find this information. Should you have additional questions or concerns for the Florida Department of Health please let us know.

Sincerely,

Ed Barranco, M.P.H, C.E.H.P., C.P.M.
Environmental Administrator
Florida Department of Health
Division of Disease Control and Health Protection
Bureau of Environmental Health
Onsite Sewage Programs Section
Mailing Address: 4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin A08, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1713
Office Phone: 850-245-4092; Cell Phone: 850-528-9320; Fax: 850-487-0864
Please note my new email address is: Ed.Barranco@flhealth.gov

Of Note

Response to comment about Orlando Sentinel article on improved air quality in Central Florida due to the stay-at-home order:  Unless you live in the northwest most part of Orange County!

Response to a comment about Holly Estates: Is the builder making complaints as well? The answer that was given: Another member and I went to the sales office and they didn't want to talk about it. We were shown the door in record time. OP: I suppose if they pretend there is no smell, it's a non-issue with potential buyers? Response: They have them sign an agreement that is [so I've heard] 27 pages long and mentions the mushroom farm among others. The people I've talked to never heard of Anuvia or a fertilizer plant.

Response: Yes. [provides a screenshot] OP: Thank you. Then I'm blocked. Feel free to tell them all about it when the smell gets really bad.