'Something has to be done.' Verplanck man says gypsum dust blanketing windows, yard

Steven Bell says he wakes up to a blanket of white outside of his property and can't open the window to his home.

News 12 Staff

Jan 4, 2023, 10:32 PM

Updated 640 days ago

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At least one family in Verplanck wants something to be done about a white substance that keeps covering the outside of their home. 

Steven Bell says he wakes up to a blanket of white outside of his property and can't open the window to his home. 
"The amount of dust that collects on a daily basis with the winds has increased dramatically to a point where everything in your yard is covered when you go out in the morning," he says. 
It's dust that's coming from a sheetrock plant called CertainTeed Gypsum in Buchanan.
The plant is less than a mile from his home. With the help of some wind, it pushes all the dust from the plant over the neighborhood.
Bell says he's been documenting it every time it happens.
He says it's been an issue on and off for years, but it's gotten worse in recent months.
"For the health and safety of my family and the families of this community, something has to be done," he says. 
Village officials say they are aware of the issue and have contacted the New York state Department Environmental Conservation and Westchester County Board of Health.
News 12 has reached out to CertainTeed Gypsum, the Westchester County Board of Health and New York State DEC.
CertainTeed told News 12 it has great respect for the people of Buchanan and "are working closely and cooperatively with the Verplanck Residents Association and state and local officials to investigate the recent dust concerns and root cause of the matter."
Meanwhile, the New York State DEC says it is conducting a comprehensive investigation into the dust complaints and took samples that are being reviewed.