The Warren Recycling site is a time-critical response to high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas releasing from a construction and demolition debris landfill. The hydrogen sulfide gas is produced as a result of anaerobic decomposition of sulfur based drywall / gypsum board which is present in high quantity in the landfill. The gas often releases in high enough concnetrations to substantially affect nearby residential neighborhoods.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and U.S. EPA have all classified these on-going gas releases as a substantial threat to human health.
A removal action was initiated on April 25, 2005 to abate the high quantity off-site release of hydrogen sulfide gas.
EPA temporarily demobilized the site on March 17, 2006. Work resumed from May 27 - June 2, 2006 to re-grade and hydroseed on and around the capped area.
EPA continued site monitoring into mid-September, 2006. Levels of hydrogen sulfide gas as the surface of the landfill have substantially been reduced. Peak levels in May, 2005 were up to 165,000 parts-per-billion (ppb). The highest detectable amount in the summer of 2006 was 47 ppb.
A letter was submitted to Ohio EPA to offer "Recommended Management Practices" to the regulated industry, based on U.S. EPA's and Ohio EPA's recent experiences and research. The letter can be accessed in the documents section below.
