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EVALUATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS <br /> <br /> The generation, migration,and release of landfill products <br />poses potential risks for groundwater contamination, vegetatioh <br />injury and damage, explosion hazards and odor problems. The in- <br />halation of any trace hazardous contaminahts in the landfill <br />gases may also pose a potential health risk. <br /> <br />SAFETY <br /> <br /> The major safety hazard resulting from the migration of <br />landfill gases is the potential explosion hazard due to the ac- <br />cumulation of combustible gases. (primarily methane) in enclosed, <br />poorly ventilated areas. Explosions resulting ~rom landfill <br />gases have been reported (Martyny et al., 1979). The explosive <br />limits for methane gas, the major landfill gas constituent, are <br />5 to 15 percent methane in air by volume; air containing less <br />than 5 percent methane does not explode, and air containing more <br />than 15 percent burns without noise. <br /> <br /> An evaluation of gas migration at the landfill shows that <br />landfill gases have migrated to distances of up to'50 feet on <br />the northern boundary of the~tandfill'.~Wherethe-migration_~is <br />not controlled. Landfill gas ~migra~i~n, however, is being <br />effectively controlled by the gas collection system on the west <br />side of the landfill. The combination gas collection and test- <br />ing system that has been installed will ensure safety of the <br />residences. <br /> <br /> <br />