Residents residing near mushroom farms and mushroom composting facilities have experienced periods of unusually dense fog and higher than average amounts of corrosion on outdoor metals, such as HVAC systems, resulting in the need to replace these items repeatedly.

Upon my request, an air quality study was completed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) which measured hydrogen sulfide levels in the areas where these residents reside. As with the phorid fly issue, I continue to engage with all stakeholders to ensure the state is doing all we can to not only mitigate negative impacts and potential hazards, but to land on effective, lasting, science-based solutions. 

History

2025

• Introduced legislation in October to update the PA Agricultural Best Management Practices. This legislation would require PA Department of Agriculture to complete random inspections for compliance, administer fines to operators not in compliance, and designate funds for critical oversight of this issue.

2024

• Attended the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection, Dept. of Agriculture, and Dept. of Health special townhall meeting where they presented the findings of the air quality study and answered questions of residents.

• April Press Release

• Advocated for grant funding for West Chester University and American Mushroom Institute air quality studies through the PA Dept. of Agriculture new grant program, Conservation Research Fund. Both fund requests approved with awards totaling $377,000.

• Attended West Chester University’s preliminary findings presentation at New Garden Township

2023

• PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) receives preliminary data from air quality studies and begins analysis of data.  DEP shared this information with PA Department of Health, PA Department of Agriculture and my office.

2022

• PA Department of Environmental Protection study on air quality and hydrogen sulfide in progress. My office stayed in consistent contact with PDA throughout the duration of the study.

2021

• PA Department of Environmental Protection begins air quality study in April, air monitoring sites installed at New Garden Township building, New Garden Airport, and Avon Grove Charter School. These monitors collect hydrogen sulfide and meteorological data such as wind speed, wind direction, ambient temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure.

2020

• Organized work session meeting on air quality for Landenberg Hunt HOA leadership, representatives of the mushroom and composting industries, New Garden Township supervisors, the Chester County Conservation District (CCCD), the PA Dept. of Agriculture, and the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection in March.  

• Made formal request for air quality study to be completed to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health in March.

• Air Quality study approved for New Garden Township by the PA Secretary of Health, PA Secretary of Environmental Protection, and the PA Secretary of Agriculture in October.

• Government agency staff and resources were diverted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the air quality study to be delayed.

2019

• Hosted public meeting with residents of Landenberg Hunt and New Garden Township to hear concerns of metal corrosion on their properties in March.

Resources

• PA Dept. of Health Full Air Quality Report

• PA Dept. of Health HS2 Summary Fact Sheet

• Pa Dept. of Environmental Protection Ambient Air Monitoring Data Reports

• American Mushroom Institute (AMI) H2S Mitigation Pilot Program (2024)

• Submit health complaints to PA Dept. of Health or by calling 717-787-3350

• DEP Environmental Complaint Hotline  or by calling 484-250-5900

• Rep. Sappey E-Newsletter Communications