Port Charlotte neighborhood demands answers over persistent dust clouds

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WINK) - Residents in a Port Charlotte neighborhood fear potential health concerns over dust coating the inside and outside of their homes.

Neighbors tell WINK Investigates they believe the dust originates from a nearby Coastal Waste and Recycling plant but that has not been confirmed by any regulatory agencies.

Kelly McLaughlin, a resident in the Port Charlotte neighborhood, told WINK Investigates, "We're worried about our health and our community."

The plant is around the corner from McLaughlin's home, she is convinced it must be the source of the dust.

"We're afraid to go outside," said McLaughlin.

She shared a picture with WINK Investigates that shows the word "help" written in dust on a table in her lanai.

McLaughlin, along with a group of neighbors, attended our WINK Listens event in Port Charlotte earlier this month after seeing a previous WINK investigation in November that looked into air pollution and dust concerns from a Coastal Waste and Recycling plant in Naples.

WINK Investigates visited the Port Charlotte neighborhood last week. McLaughlin and more than a dozen of her neighbors showed up to speak with investigative reporter Olivia Jean, explaining and showing the issues they say they have been dealing with.

"My main concern is health," said Rose Smith.

John Eller expressed his frustration with the dust.

"I have tremendous dust," Eller said. "There's health issues, there's the way of life issues, and there's deep monetary issues as well."

Another neighbor, Steve Staner, said "The noise is one thing, but the dirt isn't healthy. That's the biggest problem, the dust and dirt."

"We have no idea what we're breathing in, and it's six days a week that we're dealing with this. It coats everything, coats our furniture. Gets inside the home. It'll coat your car. If you're sitting out here very long, you can actually taste it and feel it," said Pat McLaughlin.

WINK Investigates reached out to Coastal Waste and Recycling about the residents concerns.

The company responded with a written statement reading "We have also been impacted by dust and dirt coming from the construction site located between our facility and the residents’ direct neighbors to the south. The increased dust and dirt in the area started with construction on the neighboring boat and RV storage facility."

The statement went on to say. "We share the residents’ concerns, and we are hopeful that the issue subsides when the 21-acre storage facility installs post construction landscaping along with the asphalt or concrete cover to the current dirt surface."

WINK Investigates visited the storage facility and spoke to the owner who denied Coastals' claims. The storage facility's owner stated any construction involving dust ended eight months ago and claimed his business also suffers from dust he attributes to the recycling plant.

The finger pointing leaves residents like Pat McLaughlin frustrated but not surprised. He said he's not believing Coastals' explanation.

"It doesn't surprise me that they're not accepting responsibility for it. You can physically see the dust coming from that facility. Some days there's a cloud of dust," Pat McLaughlin said.

In its statement, Coastal Waste and Recycling went on to say, "Our facility is permitted for operations by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and maintains all required permits. As part of the permitting process, the FDEP reviews and approves the design and operation of the facility. This includes the necessary dust controls, as described in permit documents, which consist of dust control cannons for watering the site, mechanic and manual street sweepers, dust screening materials, fences, and perimeter vegetation."

"The FDEP regularly inspects the facility for compliance with the permit and state-wide regulations. Based on the most recent inspection, the FDEP noted that these dust control features were being implemented at the site to control dust from migrating off-site," a Coastal representative wrote.

WINK Investigates has reached out to Charlotte County for an update on code complaints, but no response has been received before publication.

We will continue to update you as the situation develops.