The two workers who were injured when they fell into a manhole on North Barfield Drive two weeks ago have been released from the hospital, with one already back at work and the other awaiting a doctor’s clearance.

The injuries occurred when the workers lost consciousness from inhaling concentrated hydrogen sulfide fumes emanating from a manhole at the corner of Woodbine Court. One worker was climbing out of the hole after repairing a water pipe, just before he passed out and fell back in.

One was employed by the city, the other worked for the contracting firm D.N. Higgins.

Though city officials said the gas was not present in elevated levels outside the manhole, the incident heightened concern on the island that the gas could be present in its toxic form above ground.

One resident contacted the city last week to report concerns that the gas was present in his house, citing the tarnish his silver had taken on during a vacation.

City Public Information Officer Lisa Douglass said Tuesday that the gas, which is above ground in safe amounts, has leeched out of the ground as a result of the “dewatering” process happening in tandem with construction.

Photo by LESLIE WILLIAMS HALE

Eagle staff

The tubes and pipes running along the side of North Barfield Drive were put in place to pump groundwater out of the soil to enable construction work. The same process can be blamed for the hydrogen sulfide that hangs in the air in what city officials say are safe levels.

In order to lay the concrete underground pipe necessary for sewer lines, groundwater has to be pumped out to allow construction crews to work below the groundwater table. Douglass said the process causes underground gasses like hydrogen sulfide to enter the air, leaving the scent of rotten eggs often attributed to sulfur.

The city sent an emergency response crew to the North Barfield area to investigate the resident’s complaint, but tests did not register unsafe levels of gas.

Douglass said the city has not received any complaints since then and is not regularly checking hydrogen sulfide levels, but that construction managers at the work site are staying on the lookout for anything suspicious.

Naples Daily News
Naples Sun Times
The Banner

Collier Citizen
Vista Semanal
PrepZone

Coastalbeat
Set Anchor
SWFLMoms