NEW: DEM Installs Equipment to Monitor Landfill Odor
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is working in conjunction with the Town of Johnston to gather additional data on air quality in order to address people’s concerns about the odors emanating from the Central Landfill operated by the RI Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC).
Air monitoring equipment was installed today in a secure location in Woodlake Park on Central Avenue in Johnston that will provide a continuous measurement of the level of hydrogen sulfide in the air, along with data on wind direction and wind speed. HEALTH will use the data to interpret the health significance, if any, of the hydrogen sulfide levels. Elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide are associated with a noticeable rotten-egg type odor. Hydrogen sulfide fumes can cause nausea, itchy eyes, breathing difficulties, or throat irritations.
Since October, residents of Johnston and some surrounding communities have complained of a strong odor coming from the Central Landfill. On October 19, DEM issued a Letter of Noncompliance directing RIRRC to implement immediate actions to eliminate the objectionable odors being generated by the facility. In early November, DEM took additional steps to monitor RIRRC’s progress in implementing corrective actions and monitor the odors experienced in the surrounding community. DEM’s Office of Waste Management has been performing inspections of the landfill at least twice per week to determine the status of RIRRC’s efforts to rectify the odor problem.
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In addition, DEM’s Office of Compliance and Inspection has been conducting odor monitoring in the immediate area surrounding the landfill twice per week to determine the extent, duration, and strength of odors using instrumentation to measure hydrogen sulfide concentrations when odors are detected. DEM inspectors detected objectionable odors beyond the property line of the RIRRC facility on November 4, November 17, November 25, and November 28.
“DEM continues to provide regulatory oversight of the Resource Recovery Corporation as it carries out its corrective action plan to resolve the objectionable odors coming from the Central Landfill,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “The Department also stands ready to take additional measures, as warranted, to address RIRRC’s management of this persistent odor problem that is impacting residents of Johnston and neighboring communities.”
“We have no evidence that severe medical problems are occurring due to landfill gasses,” said Director of Health Michael Fine, MD. “Our surveillance shows no increase in emergency medical visits or procedures; however, this does not change the fact that current air quality conditions are unacceptable. As long as odors remain objectionable, those responsible for violations of air quality standards need to take aggressive action to ensure the health and safety of residents.”
