HOPE for Bristol

The geomembrane cover, a final step recommended by the Expert Panel and much advocated for by the community, is reportedly delayed until Dec 1, 2026! This membrane was supposed to be in place by March 28, 2024, and is a key engineering solution for minimizing landfill gas emissions into the community.

Thanks to WJHL for including HOPE's Joel Kellogg in their coverage.

Bristol, Va. under fire for communication surrounding landfill progress BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — The City of Bristol, Virginia’s woes tied to its closed landfill do not appear to be at an end. On Thursday, a lawyer representing the City of Bristol, Tenn. sent a lett…

Bristol Landfill Health Study:

An additional update.
We are sampling again this evening.
Tomorrow, the teams will collect the sorbent tubes AND the sampling devices.

They will be returned to you!

This device has a micro SD card and the researchers need to download the collected data.

It is possible that some tweaks will be made to correct any issues in the device's functionality.

We have also asked that the device be configured to start at a preset time. This way the host homes could set the device outside on the day of sampling, turn it on and go about their day.
If the firmware allows this, it would eliminate having to be physically present to start the sampler.

We are truly grateful for those who have volunteered to host these devices and for those who have signed up to take the short survey during sampling events.

If you are interested in hosting or are willing to take the survey, please follow the link below to sign up.

Thank you!

Joel

https://cph.uky.edu/research/projects/bristol-landfill?fbclid=IwAR2mIYkDkn2Nbt58W9ws7AN2gb-bWOtuCt2z8ZUzjtcGhvC0ZexGbJsdodY

Bristol Landfill | College of Public Health Dr. Erin N. Haynes and her team are working with the residents of Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia to track health symptoms and evaluate their relationship to foul smells and air quality. In partnership with the Dr. John Volckens at Colorado State University, the team is also measuring air quality ov...

Below is an update from the team at the University of Kentucky. Some clarification is included.
We will continue to fine tune the process as we move forward with testing.

Heads up for those who have sampling units: Did you recharge your unit after last time?
You are going to need it soon :)

************************************************

"Thank you for participating in the Bristol Landfill Health Study!

The purpose of this unique study is to investigate the connection between landfill emissions and the health symptoms and odors you experience. Over the next year, we will sample overnight for variety of chemicals at 20 homes throughout Bristol TN and VA approximately twice per month. We plan to sample on nights that are without rain and will choose both "bad" and "good" nights so we can compare the difference. When we sample, we will also ask all participants in the health study to complete a short survey, even if you do not have an air sampling device at your home. Your responses to the short survey are very important as we also compare your experiences with odors and health effects during these sampling times.

The short survey is less than 2 minutes. If possible, please share your experiences about odors and health within a day of receiving the survey. Your next opportunity to participate will arrive by text or email Thursday February 29 at noon. As always, your responses will be confidential.

Thank you so much for participating. If you do not wish to continue participating, please let us know.

As you know, the more data we have - the better! We could use your help sharing this research opportunity with others in your community. Please forward/share this survey link https://bit.ly/Bristol-Health-Study.

Sincerely,

Erin N. Haynes, DrPH, MS

Kurt W. Deuschle Professor of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health

Chair, Department of Epidemiology

University of Kentucky

[email protected]

Office: 859-562-2119"

redcap.uky.edu

A public health & air quality study is happening around the Bristol VA Landfill. Volunteers are needed ASAP!

To be considered to host a very small outdoor air monitor, please click the link below and click on the Survey Link button.
https://cph.uky.edu/research/projects/bristol-landfill

After completing the brief survey, you will be considered for hosting a monitor and will be contacted by the UK team. Right now, the study especially needs participants in Forest Hills, Redstone, Booher, & King College Rd areas -- but all areas are welcome to apply.

This NIEHS-funded research study is the fruit of 2 years of focused discussions between HOPE for Bristol, University of Kentucky, and the other universities involved. 🙌

Thanks all!

Bristol Landfill | College of Public Health Dr. Erin N. Haynes and her team are working with the residents of Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia to track health symptoms and evaluate their relationship to foul smells and air quality. In partnership with the Dr. John Volckens at Colorado State University, the team is also measuring air quality ov...

Here with the Uber talented John Paul Linke :)
Good progress today!

Some excellent news for all.of Bristol today!

Va. governor announces $35M for Bristol landfill BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — The city of Bristol, Va. landfill got some good news dumped in its lap Friday with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s announcement of $35 million in Commonwealth funds “for key…

University of Kentucky and HOPE for Bristol collaborate on community study to address landfill concerns The University of Kentucky College of Public Health and the grassroots organization, HOPE for Bristol, are teaming up for a community study focused on the Brist

Good news!
Our partners at the University of Kentucky have put together an amazing project to monitor the air in our community.
This, coupled with our partners at Appalachian Voices and their soon to launch program will allow us to monitor for at least 2 years!

This is huge as the city of Bristol VA is only required to monitor until the geomembrane cover goes on.

If you sent your information to us to participate in the UKY program you will soon receive an email with further instructions.

Thank you to Ashley Hoak and WCYB for their continued coverage of this monumental disaster!

And, as always, THANK YOU! to the residents who make what we do possible!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=754092123413965&id=100064395535471&mibextid=ZbWKwL

University of Kentucky and HOPE for Bristol collaborate on community study to address landfill concerns The University of Kentucky College of Public Health and the grassroots organization, HOPE for Bristol, are teaming up for a community study focused on the Brist

This is a fantastic opportunity for those who qualify!
We are still looking for funding for the Hands of HOPE Program. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, please apply or reach out to someone who needs assistance.

Thank you!

https://www.holstonhabitat.org/home-repair

At last!

HOPE for Bristol has been working with Erin and her affiliates at the University of Kentucky for 2 years now.

We are excited to announce this 2 year air quality/health effects study for our community!

Please visit the link below and sign up to help gather as much data as possible.

The cooler weather has seen an increase in the toxic emissions in many areas. This data is crucial in understanding what we have been subjected to over the past several years.

https://cph.uky.edu/news/cph-researcher-seeks-community-participation-bristol-landfill-study

Trophies!

A year ago.
Seems like yesterday and also forever.
Thanks to Ashley Hoak at WCYB for her continued coverage.

https://wcyb.com/news/local/year-long-remediation-efforts-continue-at-bristol-landfill-community-engagement-remains-key-bristol-virginia-mayor-neal-osborne-hope-for-bristol-president-joel-kellogg-environment-closure-consent-decree-?fbclid=IwAR3cHLqZjsmYEg3sc1amUPHstgOSnPQluSUIiSbNI1X2ZtbA3pFQx-iv3Fc #

Year-long remediation efforts continue at Bristol, Virginia landfill It's been one year since the closure of the Bristol, Virginia landfill, and city leaders say remediation efforts have now topped $30 million.The Bristol, Virgin

This brings back ALL the memories.
We are HOPEful they can organize and demand action just like our community did.

https://signalscv.com/2023/08/chiquita-hosts-first-forum-on-landfill-problems/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue%3A+2023-08-14+Waste+Dive+Newsletter+%5Bissue%3A53540%5D&utm_term=Waste+Dive&fbclid=IwAR2VxQlnxPBdFdV4zoSOBLnUHszyfjLK_UTy7mMvlB-eIKT8Cpe0-xk88Wo

Chiquita hosts first forum on landfill problems Blaming the problem on Chiquita Canyon Landfill’s previous operators, Steve Cassulo, district manager for the landfill’s current operator, Waste Connections, said Thursday he’s working as fast as possible to resolve the smell issue that’s been plaguing Castaic and Val Verde residents.   Wh...

Air Testing Opportunity for Bristol TN/VA area!!!

If your home has been affected by the Bristol Landfill and you've wanted air testing in your front yard, now is your chance!

University of Kentucky researchers are looking for volunteers for air testing. If you're interested, please send HOPE for Bristol a message with your name, email, and street address. We'll pass your along to the UK researchers for this study.

If selected, you'll be asked to use a small air monitor outside your home ~2 times per month, over the course of several months. More details will follow. There is no cost to participate.

This has been in-the-works for a long time. While the landfill situation is a lot better, this still a good time to run air testing! We hope you can join in this unique opportunity.

Send a message to learn more

Reminder: Tonight at 6pm, Bristol VA is holding an "Open House" Q&A at City Hall concerning the Quarry Landfill. We hope to see you there!

If you can't make it and have a question that you'd like us to ask tonight, please comment below or send us a message. We'll do our best to ask!

We have applied for a grant that would give us funding for the Hands of HOPE Program.
We should have an answer by the end of this month.
If you have ever written a grant proposal, you understand the challenges these present for those who aren't experienced in such things.
We would love to see video applications/ interviews for these instead of complex essay questions.
Seems that would be more effective as the grantor could see the people and passion for their work :)

Here is the public comment that HOPE for Bristol made at yesterday's hearing before Judge Jones:

Good morning your honor,

My name is Joel Kellogg and I am the president of HOPE for Bristol.
Thank you for allowing public comment on this proposed consent order.
I am here today representing our organization as well as all residents of Bristol, Virginia and Bristol Tennessee who, through no fault of their own, live in a sacrifice zone. The sacrifice zone was established in 1996 when VADEQ approved the permit for this failed quarry landfill.
We are grateful for this consent order in that it assures that the Beast, as our residents refer to this landfill, will never reopen. We are also grateful for the courageous actions of the Bristol, Tn city council for their work in getting us to this point.
However, we are dismayed and disheartened at the lack of depth and protection this consent order offers our residents.
Limited air monitoring for a limited time and basically controlled by the city of Bristol, Virginia falls far short of easing the fears of those living in the constant fallout from this disaster.
There are no stipulations for the sensitivity of the air monitoring program. Our Sensit RAMP units, custom built for HOPE for Bristol, measure in parts per billion. We are regularly seeing readings over the Minimal Risk Levels established by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for Sulfur Dioxide, Ammonia and Hydrogen Sulfide.
Furthermore, the City of Bristol, VA has not displayed a reliable track record of sharing information regarding its landfills. We are still FOIA requesting documentation every 2 weeks. The temperature data is still not being publicly released and the city’s contractor chooses to share much of their data with VADEQ via video calls which cannot be FOIA requested. This is the proverbial “fox guarding the henhouse”. Permanent, stationary air monitoring is more common than not at similar sites around the country.

There is no early warning system or emergency evacuation plan. Extremely high temperatures, very near the surface of this landfill create the potential for rapid subsidence which could compromise the landfill surface and release a cloud of toxic chemicals into our community.

There has been zero testing for Dioxins at this site. It is a fact that Elevated Temperature Landfills produce Dioxins. Dioxin is the most carcinogenic substance on the planet. We at HOPE for Bristol anguish over the fact that the fallout from this landfill, covering nearly 100 square miles, likely contains this substance. Our children, on their playgrounds and in their yards pick up this fallout on their shoes and track it into homes, schools, buses, churches and vehicles. Our pets do the same. This goes for everyone who lives and works within the sacrifice zone that is Bristol.

We respectfully present during this public comment period, that this consent order, while a victory for our residents in some ways, is woefully inadequate in it’s scope and depth.

Thank you.