Pennsylvania -- SLUDGE VICTIMS SUFFER NOXIOUS FUMES, SKIN RASH, BURNING THROAT AND NOSE,
DIFFICULTY BREATHING, NITRATES IN DRINKING WATER - NEIGHBORS SUFFER SAME SYMPTOMS
http://www.sludgenews.org/action/story.aspx?id=40
Ralph & Gloria Gilbert
September 5, 2008
Our Story
Ralph C. & Gloria L. Gilbert
14205 Ingham Road New Freedom, PA 17349, 717-235-5349
Shortly after my wife and I were assaulted with toxic and noxious fumes from a sludged field adjacent to our property, I
developed a skin rash which covered a large portion of my body. The effluent vapors from the sludge applied to that
field caused our throat and nose to burn and made difficult to breath, we could not go outside or have any outside
activity. We had to close all our doors and windows and stay in one room. The effluent penetrated the house anyway
and even the fabric of our furniture. My wife Gloria Gilbert had breathing problems and those condition was
exacerbated by this noxious vapor from the sludge fields. We have experience these noxious vapors on several
occasion over the last couple of years.
There were several different effects that we experienced in our breathing, sinuses and body in addition to the rash. I
(Ralph Gilbert) first started itching and developed a skin rash on or about April 19, 2007. This continues on my body
today. I went to see my family doctor who sent me to the local dermatologist in York, PA. The dermatologist told me that
the rash because of dry skin it was on parts of my body that were definitely not dry. It was clear the rash appeared in
certain parts of my body and the skin was clearly not dry or was it worse after a shower. The itching was so intense and
persisted for some time. May 17, 2007 referred me to Hershey Medical Center dermatology department in Hershey
Pennsylvania. I was given spheroid ointment the rubble my body which read some of the itching but did not affect the
rash. The dermatologist reported a red, itchy plaques and hives on abdomen. A skin biopsy was taken. I was treated
with prednisone and the rash subsided 80%. The Hershey Medical Center could not determine the cause of the
outbreak and the skin biopsy was not conclusive for any know condition. In December 2007 I made a second visit to
Hershey Medical Center/ Diane M. Thiboutot/Harper N. Price told me I had dry skin, prescribed Triamcinalone ointment
and skin moisturizers. These remedies had no effect in reducing the rash and itching. The out break the abdomen
cleared up with prednisone, however the rash continued on my arms and legs.
In January 2008 my family doctor referred me to the local allergy clinic. I was tested for multiple allergens with negative
results for all allergens tested. The allergist concluded it was some for my rash but this doctor did not know source of
the cause. Later I was placed on a regiment of antibiotics for several weeks. Within weeks the rash subsided, however
several weeks after the antibiotic treatment, the rash return in the same places. The itching and pain is very
uncomfortable. I have never had or been treated for anything like this before the sludge was spread and I have lived
on this property for over 30 years.
Several of my neighbors have exhibit a similar rash and symptoms. Some reported rashes increasing from drinking
their well water. I noticed that the drinking my well water caused the rash to intensify so I started drinking bottled water
which caused the intensity of the itching to decrease. My well water was tested and found that the nitrates were above
the acceptable level for had to install a reverse osmosis unit on the water. At this writing, September 5, 2008, the rash
has not healed and continues to trouble me and I believe my family health threatened and our way of life has been
drastically altered.