Transcript Slide 1

Landfills: Permanent Solution or Risky Business?
By Lauren Brodie
Introduction
The purpose of this project was to gain a better understanding
of landfills and their long-term effects on the environment.
Since their origin, landfills have been designed to be a
permanent solution to waste disposal. However, when
examining landfill use, it becomes evident that they are risky
business. This research is a synthesis of information about
landfills over time. The timeline highlights examples of past
failures, current incidences, and potential future fallout of
landfills in the U.S. This information can be used to better
educate people regarding the harmful environmental impacts
of waste in an effort to reduce individuals’ waste habits and to
improve governmental regulations.
Pre Landfill: After WW2,
there was an abundance of
waste. To dispose of this,
waste of any sort would be
dumped into the natural
environment in places like
lakes or rivers.1
1978-1982: NYSODH conducts a
study on the Love Canal highlighting
the resulting health problems. Death
by heart disease, cancer, heart
attack, and suicide all increased.
Similar studies showed a likelihood
of low or very low birth weight and
an abnormal ratio of female to male
births.3
1942: Hooker Chemicals began
dumping chemicals and municipal waste
into the Love Canal (NY), which was
originally intended to provide power to
nearby towns, but was never finished. It
eventually became an unofficial landfill.3
Thank you to Paul Gildersleeve, NH Department of
Environmental Services, for research assistance.
References
1981: The EPA
claims that all
landfills will
eventually
leak.4
1953: The Love Canal Landfill was
covered. Despite skeptics, the
property adjacent to the canal was
used to build a community. Signs of
contamination quickly became
evident to the residents, and over the
next several years families started
noticing several unusual changes in
their health and well being.3
1986: A complaint was filed against Gary Development
Landfill (IN) – This landfill was designed to accept nonhazardous waste only. Despite regulation policies, hazardous
waste was accepted and dumped into the landfill. This
incident is one of many flaws in landfill management. 5
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Post Landfill
Action Network under the guidance of Alex Freid.
Additional support was provided by Michael
Palace and Robert Eckert.
1937: The first official landfill, The Fresno Sanitary Landfill (CA),
opened. Holes were dug deep into the ground for waste to be
dumped. The waste was alternated with compacted soil. Once full,
the holes were covered with dirt. This marked the start of America’s
waste epidemic.2
1987: Fresno Sanitary Landfill closes. Over
its 50 years in operation, it expanded from 20
to140 acres! 2
Early 1980s: Landfills become modernized using plastics such as
HDPE and other new techniques.6
1990: High density
polyethylene (HDPE), the
highest quality of landfill
liners, is examined.
Researchers concluded that
even when installed
correctly, HDPE can be
expected to leak at the rate
of about 20 gallons per acre
per day.7,8
1. Roberts, Jon. “GARBAGE: The Black Sheep of the Family.” Oklahoma Department of
Environmental Quality. 2011. Web. 24 Feb. 2014.
2. Melosi, Martin V. “National Register of Historic Places: Fresno Sanitary Landfill.” National Historic
Landmarks Nomination. 2010. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
3. New York State Department of Health. “Love Canal Follow-up Health Study.” United States
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 2008. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.
4. Environmental Research Foundation. “EPA Says All Landfills Leak, Even Those Using Best
Available Liners.” Rep. no. 37. Annapolis: Rachel’s Hazardous Waste News, 1987. Print.
5. Machak, L. “Former Gary landfill may get Superfund status.” Lake County News [Munster, IN] 08
Mar. 2011. Print.
6. Environmental Research Foundation. “The Best Landfill Liner: HDPE.” Rep. no. 117. Annapolis:
Rachel’s Hazardous Waste News, 1989. Print.
7. “Existing Tank Repairs.” Digital image. Concrete Tank Repairs. n.p., 2012. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
8. Environmental Research Foundation. “New Evidence That All Landfills Will Leak.” Rep. no. 316.
Annapolis: Rachel's Hazardous Waste News, 1992. Print.
1997: Federal regulations for landfill post closure requirements are amended
stating that care must be conducted for 30 years after closure.9
2008: Statistics showed that 82% of landfills surveyed had
cell leaks, 41% of which were larger than 1 square foot.11
2009: Rumpke Landfill (OH) reports elevated temperatures and other signs of
leakage. A year later a plan was put into action to limit the impact. However,
technology can only minimize the consequences, not eliminate them.12
Present day: Berkeley
Landfill continues to
search for an answer to
their problem of
burrowing squirrels.
Experts say that water
qualities are threatened,
and a solution must be
found.14
2001: Science News states that the mixing of hazardous substances in landfills
causes the original substances to become even more unfavorable to human health.10
2013: A landslide occurs at the Chrin Landfill in Northampton County, PA,
damaging drainage pipes and exposing methane wells.13
Present Day: Residents of North St Louis, MO continue to deal with the appalling smell and
elevated temperatures radiating from the nearby Bridgeton Landfill. In early 2013, a massive
chemical reaction occurred within the landfill causing an underground fire. This notorious fire
continues to put residents in danger. 15
Future: Current studies are considering the role that climate change will play on landfills.16
9. Protection of Environment, 26 Environmental Protection Agency § 258.61 (2012). Print.
10. "Harmful Health Effects." The Alliance For A Clean Environment. n.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
11. "Waste and Recycling Facts." Clean Air Council. Clean Air Council, n.d. Web. 4 Apr. 2014.
12. Nally, Scott, ed. “Rumpke Sanitary Landfill - Hamilton County.” Issue brief. Columbus: Ohio EPA,
2009. Print.
13. Shank, Katie. "Neighbors Concerned about Chrin Landfill's Recent Landslide." Lehigh Valley
News. 69 News WFMZ. Lehigh Valley, PA, 14 Mar. 2013. Television.
14. San Francisco Bay Water Quality Board. “Rodent Population Impacts at Berkeley Landfill,
Alameda County.” Issue brief. N.p.: California Water Boards, 2014. Print.
15. Hseih, Steven. "St. Louis Is Burning." Rolling Stone. n.p., 10 May 2013. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
16. Kebede, Abiy S. “Assessing potential risks of impacts of climate change on coastal landfills.”
Erasmus Mundus Programme. 2009. Web. 2 19.
Future: Climate
change continues
to put coastal
zones at high risk
for landfill
disruption due to
erosion and
shoreline flooding.
As a result, some
landfills may need
to be relocated to
limit future
problems. 16
Future: Researchers suggest further investigation into the effects that severe drought and
increased storm frequencies will have on the structure of landfills.