SLUDGE VICTIMS

Corrections officers and inmates at the California Institution for Women near Chino say they've gotten sick from inhaling airborne particles stirred up by a nearby plant that makes fertilizer out of human and animal waste.

Several prison employees are seeking workers compensation benefits for respiratory problems they blame on the composting plant run by the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, according to public documents and the attorney handling the claims.

"These employees are seeking benefits under California workers compensation for exposures and ailments," said John Ferrone, an attorney representing the employees.

The agency does not acknowledge that the compost might be causing illness, citing studies to the contrary. Furthermore, the agency has plans to expand the composting operation, while also taking steps to control dust and odors. On windy days, airborne matter from the composting operation has blown across the road and into the women's prison, invading the ventilation system and working its way into computers, according to prison officials and an inmate.

"When we wake up in the morning, on our windows is a layer of dust sometimes an eighth of an inch thick," said Myrtle Green, a 70-year-old CIW inmate who said she has had chronic sinus infections since the plant started operation six years ago.

Despite years of complaints from the prison, San Bernardino County planning officials are recommending that the Inland Empire Utilities Agency be allowed to expand operations at the 97-acre plant. A hearing on the expansion is scheduled today before the San Bernardino County Planning Commission. The meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. at the County Government Center, 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino. The utilities agency wants to relocate the composting operation within three years to a site yet to be determined. For now, agency officials say they are taking steps to reduce dust and odor.

"I've got to hand it to the people over there, they're trying to work with us," said Lt. Robert Sebald, C1W spokesman.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY - AIRBORNE PARTICLES FROM COMPOSTING FACILITY CAUSE INMATES AND PRISON EMPLOYEES TO SUFFER RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS, CHRONIC SINUS INFECTIONS, SORE THROAT, RUNNY NOSE, HEADACHES - WORKMEN'S COMP CLAIMS FILED.