DHEC: Sawdust Contains Harmful Levels of Lead

(Columbia)- Dangerous levels of lead have been found in the Little Camden community, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.For the past year, David Bynum says he has complained to DHEC about the pile of sawdust sitting outside of Palmetto Antique Flooring on Joe Louis Drive in Columbia."This stuff was just constantly floating into the air," explained Bynum, who lives a few doors down from the business. "I'm concerned about my health because a lot of times this stuff gets into your nose, you're breathing it in constantly," he said.This week, DHEC officials revealed that the sawdust spewing from the flooring company contained dangerous levels of lead. According to DHEC reports, 5.0 mg/l is the hazardous waste limit for lead and the sawdust measured 5.2 mg/l."We're going to take another look at those samples to make sure they are absolutely right," explained DHEC spokesperson Thom Berry, who says a second round of tests would be conducted. However, Bynum feels the currents test results speak for themselves. "We want DHEC to explain why this stuff is still in our community," he said.DHEC officials say the agency is planning the removal of the sawdust. They say the level of contamination determines where the sawdust will have to be disposed. For now, the agency says the Palmetto Antique Flooring has agreed to keep the sawdust moist to prevent it from blowing away."At some point in time, it's going to have to be removed," said Berry. "Everybody agrees on that."On Thursday, DHEC officials will hold a meeting with residents of Joe Louis Drive. It will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church on Barnes Road in Columbia. DHEC officials say they will discuss the test results and whether or not residents need to be tested for lead poisoning.As for Palmetto Antique Flooring, DHEC says they have been forced to cease most operations. "We have ordered them not to do any kind of work that would generate any kind of dust that could leave the property," said Berry.For more information on the health impact of lead, click here.