Winchester -- Frederick County, Virginia                                                                                         Page 2 of 2
Sludge victims choke on ammonia fumes, suffer headaches, sore throats, itchy eyes, hives and swelling -- Synagro
says illnesses are "Psychosomatic" -- VA. sludge "regulator" Cal Sawyer blames internet and "mass hysteria"           
                                                                                      


However, Mr. Sawyer appears to be talking out of both sides of his mouth as he acknowledges in an internal memo the
potential health risks from sludge aerosols and odors:


MEMO DATED JANUARY 23, 2001, FROM CAL SAWYER, VIRGINIA SLUDGE
COORDINATOR TO VIRGINIA SLUDGE SPREADERS REGARDING BUFFER
DISTANCE TO DWELLINGS "... (TO) PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
AGAINST THE POSSIBLE IRRITANT EFFECTS OF AEROSOLS AFFECTING
THOSE LIVING NEAR BIOSOLIDS AMENDED SITES."

"THIS BUFFER DISTANCE COULD BE REDUCED .... . HOWEVER, THE
RESIDENTS OF SUCH DWELLINGS MUST BE OF GOOD HEALTH AND NOT
SUFFER FROM ANY MEDICAL CONDITION SUCH AS ASTHMA, OR BE
SENSITIZED BY PRESCRIBED MEDICATION, SUCH THAT THEIR HEALTH
WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY AEROSOLS OR ODORS THAT MAY
RESULTS FROM LAND APPLICATION OPERATIONS."