The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has released its public health consultation for the Central Landfill in Johnston, R.I.

ATSDR and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) conducted an exposure investigation in Johnston, R.I., to determine whether air emissions from the Central Landfill present a public health hazard to nearby residents. ATSDR and RI DEM measured levels of air contaminants associated with landfill emissions in residential areas near the landfill. This investigation was conducted from July 2000 through May 2001.

ATSDR concludes that the levels of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and hydrogen sulfide do not present a health hazard to nearby residents. Contaminant levels were below minimal risk levels (MRLs) established for screening environmental data. ATSDR does not anticipate the levels of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and aldehydes measured at Wood Lake Park will result in adverse health effects.

ATSDR classifies odor from the Central Landfill as an indeterminate public health hazard because of the following three factors: the long-term effects of repeated exposure are not well understood, odors are complex and human response to odors is variable.

In 1999, RI DEM asked ATSDR to review environmental sampling data collected near the landfill to determine whether the levels of VOCs presented a health hazard to nearby residents. ATSDR reviewed air sampling collected for VOCs and hydrogen sulfide downwind of the landfill. In June 2000, ATSDR completed a health consultation that concluded the levels of VOCs were below levels of health concern. However, ATSDR identified data gaps that prevented a more thorough evaluation of potential effects of air emissions. The exposure investigation was conducted to fill these data gaps.

The Central Landfill is located in south-central Johnston, R.I., approximately 10 miles west of Providence. The landfill, operated by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corp. (RIRRC), accepts approximately 85 percent of the state's municipal waste. Also, RIRRC and others operate a recycling facility and a landfill gas collection system. Area residents have complained of foul odors, headaches, nausea, and eye and respiratory tract irritation.

In the current health consultation, ATSDR recommends RIRRC continue to maintain proper odor-management practices, particularly during periods when composted fill is to be excavated. RIRRC should notify RI DEM before beginning work that will uncover large volumes of composted fill or immediately following any substantive failure of its landfill gas collection system. RI DEM should continue to enforce the state's odor regulation as a method for monitoring RIRRC's odor management practices at the Central Landfill.

The health consultation is available at the following repository:

Marion J. Mohr Memorial Library
One Memorial Ave.
Johnston, RI 02929

Community members seeking information on the procedures or the content of the public health consultation should contact Environmental Health Scientist Peter J. Kowalski, toll-free at 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737). ATSDR Regional Representative William Sweet also may be contacted in Boston at 617-918-1495. Callers should refer to the Rhode Island Central Landfill site.