EPA
Region 7 is aware of the subsurface smoldering event at the Jordan Disposal
Landfill in Galena, Kansas and continues to coordinate with the Kansas
Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
KDHE
is the lead regulatory agency responsible for ensuring landfills are complying with
regulations established under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA).
All
questions and concerns regarding the Jordan Disposal Construction &
Demolition Landfill in Galena, Kansas should be directed to KDHE.
Additional
resources and information about the landfill and odors associated with the
subsurface smoldering event can be found online at https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2391/Galena-Construction-Demolition-Landfill-.
Background
Information:
A
fire-type event, or sub-surface smoldering event, occurs in oxygen-limited
environments – such as landfills – and generates heats and combustion gases,
which can emit odors, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds
(VOCs).
Due
to the nature of materials deposited in the Jordan Disposal Construction &
Demolition Landfill, such as various wastes and debris associated with the
Joplin tornado cleanup, KDHE previously requested EPA’s assistance with air monitoring during fire-type events – once in August 2025 and again in March 2026.
During
EPA’s air monitoring efforts, EPA detected low levels of VOCs and carbon monoxide near the smoldering hotspot in the landfill. EPA did not detect VOCs or carbon monoxide at the landfill perimeter or surrounding areas.
It’s
important to note that these low-level detections near the hotspot did not exceed the action
levels for VOCs or carbon monoxide that would require
the Agency, or Jordan Disposal, to take actions in order to protect human
health and the environment.
EPA
provided all collected data to KDHE for their use as the lead agency providing
oversight to the Jordan Disposal landfill in Galena.
For the 2025 event, please visit the site page at: response.epa.gov/JordanDisposalLandfillFire.
