Arsenic found in Wedgewood and Perdido ballparks

The Wedgewood/Rolling Hills/Olive Heights Homeowners Association has written the Environmental Protection Agency for help.

A recent soil report indicates the Lewis Powell ballparks near the opening gate of Rolling Hills landfill are covered in arsenic.

The independent testing commissioned by the Escambia Board of County Commissioners showed the samples taken on Dec. 3 exceeded regulatory limits for arsenic. Unfortunately a control sample taken at the Southwest Sports Complex in the Perdido area also exceeded the limits. Read Wedgewood Area Soil Monitoring Summary Report – 20151223

Dr. Gloria Horning, a member of the homeowners association, wrote the EPA that “our playgrounds in the neighborhood are covered in arsenic and our air is full of hydride sulfide.”

She said that the eight landfills surrounding the neighborhood have impacted health, lessoned the values of the homes, and forced others to abandon their homes because of the toxic air surrounding their homes.

“For one landfill, Rolling Hills C&D owned and operated by South Palafox Properties, was issued seven years straight with the same 17 violations including toxic air and water contamination,” wrote Horning. “Yet (it) was never fined, nor closed. It took a handful of dedicated residents to force the county and the department of the environment for Northwest Florida to make a move. Yet, here we are — still breathing toxic air and our children are playing on soil covered in arsenic.”

She asked, “When is the EPA going to come here see what we are living with on a daily basis? Our community, our homes and most of all, our children are not safe.”