A Baltimore environmental group has found fly ash in dust sample collected off of homes in Gambrills.
Environment Maryland conducted the study shortly after Constellation Energy stopped dumping fly ash into two pits near Route 3. All 12 samples contained at least trace amounts of fly ash.
The health effects of the dust are unknown, as another study is needed to link the ash levels, exposure and health factors, officials say.
The ash, which was dumped by Constellation Energy between 1995 and November 2007, has been blamed for contaminating dozens of private water wells around the pits.
Environment Maryland?s study was the first analytical look at airborne fly ash. The study comes after several Gambrills residents complained about excess dust collecting on their cars and houses.
Constellation Energy officials have said no ash is being dumped at the site. The samples were taken about a week after the company claimed to have stopped dumping.
Brad Heavner, director of Environment Maryland, said the Maryland Department of the Environment should make fly ash dumpsite subject to the same air regulations on power plants.
MDE is recommending new regulations on fly ash that would require ash to be wetted at both the power plant and the dump site.
