NCD980602163_19830117_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_Request for EPA assistance in gas analyzation-OCR

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U 1 ff',1 / u North Carolina Department of
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& Public Safety
512 N Salisbury Street P. 0. Box 27687 Raleigh 27611 -7687 (91 9) 733-2126
,James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor Heman R Clark, Secretary
Mr. Al Hanke
Environmental Scientist
EPA, Region IV
345 Courtland Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30365
January 17, 1983
Re: PCB Landfill, Warren County, North Carolina
Dear Al:
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Enclosed is a copy of a letter dated January 17, from State Health Director
Dr. Ronald H. Levine to Regional Administrator Charles Jeter. This letter is
requesting the assistance of the Environmental Protection Agency in properly
analyzing the venting of gases from the PC B landfill. Although this letter
should have been directed to my attention and then to you as federal project
offi ce r, it was prepared at my instruction; and I fully concur in this request.
Also enclosed is a report of the results of the air tests conducted by
the state on January 6 and 12.
Please let me know if you require additional information.
WWPjr:ea
Enclosures
cc: My-Charles Jeter
.......-Or. Ron ald Levine
Mr. Jack Reavis
l!bfit&f)
Assistant to the Secretary
Ronald H. Levine, M.D ., M.P.H.
DIVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
P.O. Box 2091
Raleigh, N.C. 27602-2091
January 17, 1983
Mr. Charles Jeter, Regional Administrator
Env ironmental Protection Agency
Regiona I V
345 Courtland Street
Atlanta , Georgia 30365
Dear Mr. Jete r:
STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR
Due to physical evidence of accumul ation of gas pressure and venting of
gases from the PCB landf ill in Warren County, the Coun ty Health Director,
Hr. Joe Lennon, requested that we investigate this alleged health hazard and
determine its significanc e .
We tested the gases venting from t he landfill and t he results showed that
detectable PCB was present within the vent sta ck. However, we are not convinced
that our equipment and techniques were sufficie nt to properly evaluate the
significance of the gases.
The State does not have the resources to properly analyze thi s situation.
We are therefore requesting that you, utilizing the best ava ilable technology,
iest and evaluate the venti ng situation in order to accurately as sess its
h ealth significance.
You r assistance will be most appreciated .
JFS:lh
cc: vtf. William W. Phillips
Sincerely ,
. I';
Ronald H. Levine, M.D ., M.P.H.
State Health Direct or
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January 14, 1983
AIR SAMPLING AT THE WARREN COUNTY LANDFILL
What Are The Air Sampling Results?
Two sets of air samples taken during t he last ten days at the War ren County
landfill have turned up onl y minute amountsof PCB in one of the landfill's venting
pipes, and in a pipe leading from the leachate col lecti on system. State Health
Director Dr . Ronald H. Levine and other environmental and public heal th experts
said t he PCB poses no threat to public health or to the environment.
'Iwo venting pipes and the leachate collection sys t em at the landfill were
sampled on Thursday, January 6, by DHR personnel to determine if gas passing
through the pipes contained PCB. The landfill contains several venting pipes which
release me thane gas produced by the decomposition of grass and other biodegradable
material s . No PCB was detected in one venting pipe , and extremely small amounts were
detect ed /in the main venting pipe and a pipe leading from the leachate collection system.
Gas in the main venting pipe in the middle of the landfill contained 15.2
micrograms per cubic meter (about 3 parts per billion) of PCB. Gas in the leachate
collection pipe contained about 1.3 mi crograms per cubic meter (l ess than one part
per billion) of PCB. The OSHA standard for PCB in the workplace is 500 micrograms
p er cubic meter.
Additional ambient air samples , and one venting pipe sampl e , were taken on
Wednesday, January 12 . None of the five samples of air around t h e landfill contained
l evels of PCB that were detectabl e on the state 's sampling equipm ent . The venting
pipe sampl e , from the same main venting pipe, r egistered 10 micrograms per cubic
meter (about 2 parts per billion).
What Do The Results Mean?
Samples taken inside the main venting pipe of the landfill, and a leachate
collection pipe, contain extremely small, but detectable levels of PCB. The levels
are well below the OSHA standard, and pose no threat to human health or to the
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environment. No PCB was de tected in any of the air outside the pipes that might
be breathed by anyone working at the landfill , or living nearby.
Nevertheless, to further ensure that the PCB in the pipes will cause no
health problems for the people of Warren County, DHR 's Division of Health Services
has asked the EPA to conduct an independent air sampling survey at the landfill,
using the most advanced air sampl ing equipment availabl e .
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