BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A city spray-drying services company is still under state scrutiny following dozens of complaints from residents about a noxious odor wafting through the area.
The state Department of Environmental Protection is working with officials from Spray-Tek, 3010 Avenue B, to “address the odor issues,” agency spokesperson Colleen Connolly said in a Tuesday email, adding “residents can continue to call the DEP complaints line.”
LehighValleyNews.com has reached out to Spray-Tek for comment.
Less than a month after a strong, bad smell permeated through the city and surrounding areas for several days, prompting a state Department of Environmental Protection investigation, the odor has returned.
Residents took to social media over the weekend, describing a sweet, syrupy or chocolatey smell that prompted headaches. Previously, residents have reported a "super glue-type smell.”
“It is still an active ‘odor’ investigation, so we hope to share more info once we complete that.”Pa. DEP spokesperson Colleen Connolly
Asked if any violations have been issued, Connolly responded, “It is still an active ‘odor’ investigation, so we hope to share more info once we complete that.”
So far this year, there have been 53 complaints recorded by the DEP about the smell.
In January, there were three, followed by a single complaint in February, Connolly said. There were four each in March and April, two in May and six in June.
There were 21 complaints in July, with 12 so far this month.
At the end of July, Connolly confirmed that the state DEP had investigated, determining Spray-Tek to be the source of the odor drawing residents’ ire. No violations were issued.
Spray-Tek, which has a facility in New Jersey and one in Wisconsin, in addition to its Bethlehem location, works with pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, flavors and fragrances, soft chemicals and cosmetics, according to its website.
Residents can submit a complaint online, or call 866-255-5158.
