STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 A foul odor in Bulls Head has one Staten Island politician ready to make a big stink with city government.<\/p>\n
Councilmember David Carr, a Republican representing the Mid-Island and South Brooklyn, wants the city Health Department to find the source and impact of a sewer\u2011like odor that has been invading homes along Merrill Avenue for months.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have asked [the Health Department] to join the ongoing investigation of the rancid odor coming from the sewer and water system on Merrill Avenue,\u201d Carr wrote on X<\/a>. \u201c[The Department of Environmental Protection is] still trying to identify the source of this problem, but this has clearly become a public health issue based on the impacts to local residents. I am asking the two agencies to work together to quickly resolve this urgent issue.\u201d<\/p>\n Spokespersons for the Health Department did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication, but a DEP spokesperson said the case remains an ongoing investigation. <\/p>\n Carr highlighted some of DEP\u2019s efforts in his letter to Acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse, including the agency\u2019s flushing of nearby sewers, application of degreasing agents, and the installation of filtration devices in neighborhood manholes. <\/p>\n \u201cThe source of this odor remains unknown and constituents have reported a negative impact on their health as a result of this odor,\u201d Carr wrote in the letter, adding that constituents in the area have told him about things like nausea, burning eyes and headaches. <\/p>\n The DEP spokesperson said the agency is working to identify the source through the monitoring of wastewater and area air samplings.<\/p>\n Deborah Phelps\u2011Seda, a mother of two who lives in the affected area, told the Advance\/SILive.com<\/a> about those type of symptoms impacting her family since late last year. <\/p>\n \u201cOne minute it\u2019s manageable and the next minute it\u2019s overwhelming,\u201d she said. \u201cIt burns our eyes, gives us headaches and makes us feel nauseous. It affects our ability to feel safe and comfortable inside and outside our house.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to the varying severity, the nature of the smell ranges from a gas odor to rotten eggs to something musty, Phelps-Seda said. <\/p>\n