Below is from the Belvidere Daily Republican FACEBOOK
Illinois EPA, Chrysler working to determine odor origin
By Tricia Goecks
Editor
BELVIDERE – Residents in south and central Belvidere have noticed a strong odor that has been developing over the last few months. The Illinois EPA is investigating the source and cause of the odor and is working with Chrysler’s Belvidere Assembly Plant.
“We had a lot of complaints that alleged it was coming from th...e Chrysler plant,” Bill Hatfield from the Boone County Health Department said. “I have no evidence of a public health issue related to the odor.”
Hatfield conducted an organaleptic analysis to zero in from where the odor originated. As part of Hatfield’s analysis, he was able to exclude a sewage treatment sludge field as the source of the odor and determine that the source was from the area surrounding the Belvidere Assembly Plant. Hatfield’s organaleptic analysis consisted of driving on all sides of the plant and using his nose to smell the air on a windy day.
The Illinois EPA conducted a site visit at Chrysler and is working with the company to determine the origins and resolution of the odor. “The company has retained an environmental consultant to assist in identifying the source and resolution to the odors,” Kim Briggs from the Illinois EPA’s public information office said. “The inspection report is still being finalized.”
“We’ve had the EPA out several times and so far, no one has been able to identify the source or cause of the odor,” Jodi Tinson from the Chrysler Group said. “We continue to work with the EPA and cooperate fully in their investigation.”
“Until we know what is causing the odor, we can’t make any modifications or address the situation.”
“I wonder if Chrysler is doing something differently than in the past,” asked an area resident who did not want to be identified. The resident wondered if a manufacturing process or materials change within the last six months was the reason why the odor developed recently.See More
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