Trash collectors ill from noxious odor

LIHU‘E — Two three-man crews of county trash collectors became nauseous Thursday morning after picking up malodorous garbage in Puhi and Hanapepe, according to a county press release.

One of the truck drivers was taken to Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and released. The other men are recuperating at home.

The Kaua‘i Fire Department’s Hazmat team and state Department of Health officials are currently examining the truck and refuse transfer trailer at the Hanapepe transfer station to determine the source of the foul odor, whether it is a hazardous material, and what method to use to safely dispose the material.

“This is the first time an incident like this has happened since I’ve been with the county,” said Troy Tanigawa, environmental services management administrator with the Public Works Department, in the release. “Although we don’t yet know the source of the foul odor, we want to remind the public not to put any hazardous waste in their trash for curbside collection. Proper disposal methods should be used.”

Tanigawa said the Kaua‘i County Code includes disposal restrictions on certain types of solid waste materials that were enacted to protect the health and safety of the public and county employees that work in waste disposal programs.

Items that are restricted from curbside collection include: dead animals; animal feces; materials impregnated with animal urine, poisons, explosives, dangerous or corrosive chemicals or other toxic or hazardous materials; clothing taken from persons with infectious diseases other medical waste, heavy metals or metal parts; lumber; dirt; rocks; bricks; concrete blocks; tires; crates and other refuse from construction or remodeling; used motor oil or automobile batteries.

Anyone uncertain as to whether a material is hazardous or for information on safe disposal of hazardous materials can call the Public Works Department’s Solid Waste Division at 241-4895.