MENTOR, Ohio — Lake County officials say they are investigating a persistent foul odor affecting Mentor’s Woodhill subdivision, as state regulators continue testing whether a nearby industrial facility could be contributing to the smell.

Lake County Sanitary Engineer Randy Rothlisberger said residents have complained about the smell for several years, but he first heard of it in January.

Rothlisberger said hydrogen sulfide — a gas naturally released in wastewater — is believed to be the odor residents are detecting. Investigators have potentially traced the smell far upstream to the Erie International Group in Painesville, and have also considered whether the nearby Mentor marshland could be contributing.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency recently issued a notice of violation to

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