Neighbors of the Lanxess plastics plant met with new plant manager Sandy Marshall on Wednesday, September 14. Neighbors continued to ask questions about chemical releases and odors. Since Marshall took over the Lanxess plant on July 14, neighbors have registered complaints with the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services about eleven separate incidents of chemical odors. Neighbors agreed that the odors have increased in the last two weeks. Lynn Bowman, Addyston resident, commented, "I've probably smelled chemical odors ten out of the past fourteen days." Lanxess has also had seven accidents releasing 179 lbs. of toxic chemical waste into the air since July 14.


Sandy Marshall attempts to answer neighbors questions. Betsy Eckert, Cheryl Siefert, and Pam Jackson look on.

Sick neighbors want to know when the chemical releases and odors will stop. Marshall's responded that Lanxess is focusing in on the problems and said, "fugitive emissions are our top priority." He gave neighbors no specific updates about projects in the works or possible plans to work on issues. Marshall commented that Lanxess would be announcing plans to address problems at the plant at a special public advisory group meeting on September 22.


Kathy, Carol, Lynn, and Betty wait to hear news from Lanxess.

Two neighbors at the meeting told Marshall they have experienced adverse effects from the chemical odors. A North Bend resident, who had been recovering from ill health, relapsed last Sunday after he attended an outdoor party that was thick with chemical odors from Lanxess. The resident's wife pleaded with Marshall, telling him, "I want my husband to live a normal life. He finally gets a day outside and it is ruined." Dick Challis, Erlanger, KY resident, has high sensitivity to butadiene emissions. Every time the company releases the chemicals into the air, Dick strangles for breath. The Challis family has been keeping a log of the pollution. The Challis pollution logs coincide with the logs of neighbors in Sayler Park, Addyston and North Bend.


Cheryl Siefert is sick of the chemicals in the air.