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� <br /> the residents. He updated the Board on the key findings of the study. Between January and <br /> November of 2009, there was a longitudinal study of health and quality of life concerns of <br /> neighbors of the landfill related to odor and land pollution. Neighbors of the landfill recorded <br /> data and daily order and symptom diaries twice each day for 14 days. At the same time, air <br /> monitors were used to measure ambient levels of hydrogen sulfide in the community every 15 <br /> minutes. This is a gas that is produced by landfills and it is a marker for an irritant. The <br /> relationships between ambient hydrogen sulfide and neighbor's reports of landfill odor and <br /> symptoms were evaluated. It was found that reports of landfill malodor were positively <br /> associated with reports of alteration of daily activities, negative mood states, and physical <br /> symptoms including symptoms of respiratory and mucous membrane irritation. It was also <br /> found that reports of landfill odor increased when ambient levels of hydrogen sulfide increased <br /> through the measurements. This study provides strong evidence that landfill air pollutants <br /> negatively impact the health and quality of life of neighbors of the landfill. Residents also <br /> reported how the odor negatively impacted their lives — not being able to go outside, etc. He <br /> said that he hopes that this study can inform the discussion of the historical context of these <br /> exposures in the Rogers-Eubanks community and that the human context of living with the <br /> landfill for 40 years will factor into the decision-making about extending the life of the landfill. <br /> Sarah Hatcher is a master's student in the UNC School of Public Health and <br /> Environmental Sciences and Engineering. She said that there have been some complaints <br /> that some landowners' properties have become makeshift landfills by individuals trying to avoid <br /> the landfill tipping fee, thus dumping illegally. She said that UNC's Daniel A. Oaken Chapter of <br /> Engineers Without Borders Local Project partnered with the Rogers Eubanks Neighborhood <br /> Association to assess and inventory of these illegal dump sites with the goal of addressing this <br /> concern. EWB has an ongoing relationship with RENA and they have participated together <br /> with the water and sewer infrastructure study in January 2010 and a community garden. The <br /> results of the assessment exceeded the expectations for the number, size, and types of <br /> materials found. EWB was able to identify 48 illegal dump sites in the Rogers-Eubanks <br /> neighborhood. These illegal dump sites are located within the headwaters of the Bolin Creek <br /> Watershed. Many of these sites will require heavy extraction equipment to clean up and one <br /> of the sites is nothing short of a mini-landfill that has been covered with soil and has redirected <br /> the natural path of the stream. There were 135 tires along with hazardous materials such as <br /> antifreeze, motor oil, and paint. There was a volunteer-based community cleanup in the <br /> community with RENA whereby high school and college students and community members <br /> gathered 2,440 pounds of trash and recycled 3,860 pounds of other materials. This was <br /> gathered from roadsides and four of the smaller sites. This is a very small fraction of the total <br /> amount of illegal trash. She said that extending the life of the landfill is not a step towards <br /> addressing these concerns. She said that the EWB local project supports the RENA and the <br /> greater community and the efforts to close the landfill and have their environmental concerns <br /> adequately addressed. <br /> Charles Yearling is an undergraduate at UNC and said that he was here with his peers <br /> to voice his opinion that he opposes the extension of the landfill. He said that he has worked <br /> in Chapel Hill and he has friends that live in the Rogers Road community. He believes that this <br /> proposal is another blatant, inequitable action that translates as environmental racism. He <br /> said that the Rogers Road community deserves the right to keep their property. He asked why <br /> nothing has been done about the pollution problem. <br /> Will Raymond said that this feels like the never ending story. He gave some history of <br /> this issue from his perspective. He spoke about how the County has not taken on the <br /> responsibility of mitigating the damage that has been done. He wants to see specific <br /> mitigations laid out. He said that it is time for the landfill to close. <br />