Earlier this week, Trumbull County government buildings were forced to close after a chemical odor spread through downtown Warren.

After county buildings in Warren shut down because of a chemical odor, questions followed about how fumes from sewer repair work could spread beyond the work site.

Pursue University engineer Dr. Andrew Whelton said this type of situation isn't unusual when certain sewer lining methods are used.

"If you're using the steam CIPP installation practice or you're cooking a plastic pipe in the ground underneath the street, then you're near any homes or businesses or manholes," Whelton said, "It's very common that these chemicals find their way out of the plastic and enter the environment in nearby buildings."

Those emissions can move through drains, sewer connections or even building openings.

Whelton said exposure can lead to a range of short-term health symptoms.

"We've seen with the almost 200 incidents that we've documented is that when people are exposed, they can have shortness of breath, they can experience headaches, nausea, and they can get dizzy. In certain instances, we have seen people pass out and have to be taken to the hospital," he said, "We've seen children experience these issues. We've seen just other adults experience these issues. And so there's a whole array of really serious, acute, immediate health impacts that can happen, and then that can be exacerbated by existing issues. So if somebody has asthma, they may be more sensitive to the exposures that somebody in the same house or building may not be as sensitive. And so it's really important that these people seek medical attention to document the exposure. So if anything else happens, at least there's a record."

Hazard cleanup company Servpro was called in to help treat indoor air at the Warren buildings by using special air scrubbers, filters and even UV lighting to eliminate odors.

"As the air is being exchanged, it takes out all of the bad, the particles, the viruses, the VOCs, whatever, whatever it may be," Servpro General Manager Rodd Meyer said. 

Servpro Senior Restoration Manager David Tiscenko said they use filters and hydroxyls to help just kind of filter and clean that air so it can be occupied and safe conditions for the team in that building. 

The Warren Water Pollution Control Department told 21 News the contractor handling the Trumbull County sewer repair project did not expect the odor to travel as far as it did.

The department said future sewer lining work will be done after hours and also said crews are going to implement additional ventilation and a wider notification area to reduce the risk of this happening again.