SLUDGE VICTIMS

Synagro first started spreading sludge around here last year. After they spread it I got sore throats and when I was standing outside with the wind blowing, I got so hoarse I lost my voice completely. They intended to put the sludge within 500 feet of my house, but they agreed to move it back to 700 feet because of my reaction to it.

THIS year they put the sludge on the field directly across the street from my house. They applied it right up to the edge of the road so the sludge is 30 feet from my home. A friend came over one day -- but he stayed less than 30 minutes because he got violently sick.

This year, in addition to the sore throats and hoarseness, I have developed blister or canker type sores in the back of my throat. Also, I itch constantly, and when I scratch the itch I get skin irritation. Other health effects I have experienced since my exposure to the sludge include diarrhea with cramps and abdominal distress, breathing difficulties and shortness of breath, burning in the nose and nasal congestion, nausea, severe headaches and fatigue. I have not sought medical treatment because I don't have health insurance. I work for a dentist ... there is only doctor and me ... so I have to go to work regardless of how sick I feel. Also, I know what goes down the drain.

To protect the health of my grandchildren, I don't let them come to my house. It is inconvenient, but I go to their home in Orange County to babysit. I don't have any pets, but the scuttlebut, is that there are a lot of sick animals in this area.

Economically speaking, this is a low income area. I moved here after my divorce because it was affordable.

Synagro and the County health officials dismiss our illnesses as "psychosomatic"....... they say we are all a bunch of hypochondriacs. The farmer spreading the sludge says we don't know what our "quality of life" is because we have no quality of life in this area. They are killing us and they do not care.