The Saufley Field Landfill, located in Pensacola, Florida, is a Construction and Debris (C&D) landfill. In past months, landfill had piled waste from recent hurricanes. When a landfill fire broke out in late November, the high slope made it impossible to adequately snuff the fire. As a C&D Landfill, the facility was not required by state regulation to maintain a 3 to 1 slope. Residents complained of smoke, odor, and health concerns to the Florida Department of Health and FDEP.
On Tuesday, January 23, 2005 OSCs David Dorian and Matt Huyser responded to a request from the Florida Department for Environment (FDEP) to provide air monitoring at the Saufley Field Landfill in Pensacola, Florida. While there were no longer continuous flames, smoke continued to emerge as hot spots vented.
ESTABLISHING LEVELS OF CONCERN.
Based on consultations with ATSDR, EPA established for particulates a 3.5 mg/m^3 emergency response levels of concern for a landfill fire. The NIOSH REL (10 hours TWA) for carbon black is 3.5 mg/m3. Because of the synergistic effects of sulfur compounds and particulates, ATSDR has recommended that EPA emergency responders adopt a more conservative 0.35 mg/m3 particulates if sulfur compounds are present. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are also a concern. The presence of PAHs were assessed by monitoring for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) with a MultiRae model PGM-50, programmable four gas meter. The minimum VOC detection limit (MDL) for the PGM-50. EPA monitored for the presence of sulfur (as SO2 and H2S) to assists health officials and residents assess the risk.
AIR MONITORING
OSC Dorian tasked START to monitor the ambient air in the surrounding area for CO, H2S, PM and VOCs. In general, elevated levels of particulates were measured; however, the levels were generally well below emergency response action levels. Details of the sampling follow.
The CO, H2S and VOC concentrations were measured using a programmable multi-gas monitor (MultiRae, Model PGM-50). The PM concentrations were measured using a datalogging real-time aerosol monitor 4 (DataRam4, Model DR-400). The DataRam4 has an accuracy of ±2% of reading. A Draeger (Model CMS) was used to measure SO2 concentrations. Calibration was conducted on monitoring equipment following manufacturer procedures.
The ambient air concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored in the area directly surrounding the landfill at 25 locations and two locations on-site near the entrance to the landfill(see Figure 3 in the START Letter Report posted on this website for monitoring locations).
All measurements for sulfur compounds were non-detect. A Draeger (Model CMS) was used at six monitoring locations (numbers 1-4, 24 and 25) to measure SO2 concentrations. All measurements were below the Draeger CMS detection limit of 0.4 parts per million (ppm). 46 hydrogen sulfide measurements were taken with the MultiRae. All were non-detect.
All measurements of PM, were below the 3.5 mg/m3 action level. For 46 measurements of PM, the levels ranged from a low of 5.3 micrograms per meter cubed (0.0053 mg/meter cubed) to a high of 567 micrograms/meter cubed). The 567 micrograms/meter cubed was somewhat anomolous given that the second highest value was 85 micrograms/meter cubed. The monitoring results are presented in Table C-1 of the START Letter Report.
Of the 46 measurements taken for VOCs, 42 were non-detect. The highest value was 0.3 ppm; however, this value had a data qualifier.
AMBIENT AIR ASBESTOS MONITORING
Ambient air sampling was conducted for asbestos in six locations. (See Figures 2 and 3 in the START Letter Report). The ambient air monitoring results are presented in Table C-1 of the START Letter Report. All results were below detection limits. The asbestos ambient air sampling followed the procedures outlined in the NIOSH Method 7402. The ambient air sampling utilized SKC Pumps (Model No 224-PCXR4) to draw air through 0.45 micrometer cassettes with an effective collection area of 385 mm2. The lab followed TEM-AHERA analysis method to measure the amount of asbestos fibers (structures) in the sampling media.
On Wednesday, January 25, 2006 OSC Dorian tasked START to conduct asbestos ambient air sampling at five locations surrounding the Saufley Landfill (See Figure 2, START Letter Report). A pump failure at location five resulted in only four locations providing viable samples. The asbestos samples were below detection levels.
On Thursday, January 26, 2006 OSC Dorian tasked START to conduct asbestos ambient air sampling at two locations (No. 24 and No. 25) directly inside the entrance to the Saufley Landfill (see Figure 2, START Letter Report). The asbestos samples were below detection levels.
ACTIONS OF THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY
On Wednesday, January 24, 2006, Saufley Landfill used heavy equipment to break up smoldering hot spots on the landfill. CWDR, the parent company, agreed to use more sophisticated techniques such as infared imaging to identify hotspots. Although several hot spots were excavated, occasional flare ups with resultant smoke, continued.
Monitoring to determine if conditions meet emergency response action levels is complete.
The Florida Department of Health FOH) raised concerns that the level of detection for the instruments was not sensitive enough to assess the long-term impacts of low levels of particulate matter. Long-term monitoring of contaminants that have been determined to be below emergency response action levels is beyond the scope of the emergency response program. FOH's concerns were referred to EPA's Air Division.
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