Residents report heavy dust, health issues from data center construction
Residents in Mason County, West Virginia, are experiencing heavy dust and alleged health issues due to the construction of a large data center. They have filed complaints with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding dust mitigation failures. The DEP has investigated and is monitoring the situation, while residents also express concerns about potential chemical exposure from a nearby former industrial site.
Residents living near a large-scale data center construction site in Mason County, West Virginia, are reporting significant dust and air quality issues, along with alleged health problems. Joshua Jeffers, a local resident, described visibility as low as 30 feet due to dust covering his property and mentioned neighbors experiencing sore throats, coughing, and respiratory issues, some requiring inhalers. Jeffers noted that a doctor linked some symptoms to chemicals found in a soil sample from the site, which was formerly a soybean field.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) confirmed receiving three dust complaints in April. Their investigation on April 30 revealed the "responsible party" had mechanical issues with their watering tankers, used for dust suppression, and subsequently made repairs. Jeffers, however, stated he contacted project manager Jason Bechtel, who allegedly claimed no dust mitigation plans or water trucks were available at the time.
Subsequent DEP inspections on May 14, 27, and 28 found the watering tankers operational and no dust leaving the site. The DEP assured it would continue investigating any further complaints. Regarding concerns about chemicals, the DEP acknowledged the nearby former West Virginia Ordnance Works site, an EPA National Priority List site, but stated the data center construction site was never part of that restricted area and no related contaminants of concern have been identified on the data center property.