By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

In response to the results of an air quality study that measured exceedingly high levels of Hydrogen Sulfide near mushroom composting businesses along Starr and Penn Green roads in Landenberg, the New Garden Township Board of Supervisors voted in favor of placing a long-term air quality monitoring facility in the vicinity of these operations, at their July 21 meeting.

Based on a recommendation from the township and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the “Landenberg” monitor will be placed at the edge of the New Garden Park’s parking lot, adjacent to the Township Building and strategically near the Landenberg Hunt development off of Starr Road, where over the past several years, residents have unleashed a flurry of complaints about the consistently poor air quality emanating from nearby mushroom farms that has corroded their home’s utilities, led to consistent health problems and diminished their quality of life.

The DEP and Township staff agreed that the new Landenberg monitor should be located in a lower-lying area to address concerns that the previous temporary monitor was at a higher elevation and further away from Landenberg Hunt. Consequently, it will be located between 50 to 60 feet lower in elevation and 620 feet closer to the development than the site of a former temporary monitor location and will require a minimum of two additional power poles. 

The monitor will include an air monitoring shelter, an H2S sampler, and meteorological equipment (wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, temperature, solar radiation), and the DEP will consider adding fine particulate sampling (PM2.5). Barring delays in leasing or infrastructure contracting, the DEP expects to have the Landenberg monitor operational by the fall. The DEP has already established an air quality monitoring facility at the New Garden Flying Field.

Results of West Chester University study still linger

The echo of similar-sounding sentiments of outrage about the poor quality of air influenced by the agricultural industry in New Garden Township has not been confined to those who live in Landenberg Hunt. In response to a rising number of complaints by area residents about the effect that the odors emitted from nearby mushroom composting facilities were having on their health and their household appliances, the township began a partnership with Dr. Lorenzo Cena, Ph.D., M.S., the Director of Environmental Health Program and Associate Professor at West Chester University, in 2022. 

The township commissioned Cena to conduct a one-year study - from February 2023 to February 2024 - to measure the air quality near these mushroom farms; specifically, whether ammonia, methane and Hydrogen Sulfide met or exceeded acceptable levels as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Using three G7 XO area monitors that were positioned between 100 to 600 feet away from mushroom composting sites in the township, the results of the study – which was shared with township residents on Sept. 4, 2024 - revealed that Hydrogen Sulfide levels were 33 times higher than the recommended levels established by the DEP for the general public, who specifies that concentrations of the gas over the course of one hour should not exceed 0.1 ppm, (parts per million) and that concentrations over a 24-hour period should not exceed 0.005 ppm.

In contrast, the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety recommends occupational levels not to exceed 10 ppm and an exposure time not to exceed 10 minutes. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permits concentrations of up to 20 ppm in the workplace.

During his presentation, Cena provided a summary of what exposure to various levels of Hydrogen Sulfide has on those who are exposed to it. Low concentrations – from 0 ppm to 10 ppm – create a strong odor of rotten eggs and cause irritation of the eyes and the respiratory system. Elevated concentrations – from 10 to 50 ppm – may cause dizziness, nausea and headaches, and for those who are exposed to levels of 50 ppm and higher, they may be susceptible to severe respiratory irritation, convulsions, a loss of smell to detect gas, coma and immediate death.

Progress check on AMI research project

In a presentation at the Supervisors’ July 21 meeting, township Manager Christopher Himes said that the township continues to contact representatives from the Avondale-based American Mushroom Institute (AMI) about the progress of an air quality study the agency is conducting on an undisclosed Chester County mushroom farm. On Sept. 4, 2024, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced that the AMI and eight other agencies were the recipients of grants totaling $1.5 million that would charge them with the responsibility to develop innovative solutions to agricultural challenges like climate change, air quality, and loss of critical water and soil resources.

To date, there have been no public meetings to bring the public up to date on the progress of the $220,000 grant, but in his presentation, Himes shared the following comment from the AMI:

“The Mushroom Industry is cautiously optimistic about new tools on the market it has assessed to be adaptable to mushroom composting operations,” the statement read. “The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is funding some of the work to assess and pilot required operations adjustments and outcomes. Apart from that, the industry’s own investment in these new tools will total in the millions, including start-up costs as high as $2 million for some farms, and significant ongoing annual expenses across the industry. 

“We are working with our state and federal legislators to secure available grant dollars to fill funding gaps and expedite the startup timeline to the extent possible. As we work to identify the most effective solutions, we are grateful for the continued understanding of our townships and communities and remain confident these investments will yield long-term benefits for all.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].