Agenda - Council - 10/14/1980 - Laserfiche WebLink

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UEALT~ Methane and carbon dioxide are the major constituents of the gases produced by the landfill. These gases which are both colorless and odorless can together comprise about 95 percent of the gas volume. Both gases are simple asphyxiants; that is, they are physiologically inert gases that prevent body tissues from receiving adequate oxygen when present in sufficient concentrations. Other examples of simple asphyxiants which may also be landfill gas constituents include nitrogen, hydrogen, and paraffinic hydrocarbons (Doull et al., 1980). Sensitive individuals coul~ experience headache, dizziness, listlessness, or loss of appetite when exposed to'the odiforous landfill gases. Sensitivity and accompanying symptoms could be due to the odor itself. These symptoms are not permanent and will subside when the individual is no longer exposed. For sensitive individuals the concentrations at which these symptoms might occur will vary from person-to-person. Sensitivity to hydrocarbons has been reported (Sherman and Harris, 1968; Coleman~ 1968~ Randolph, 1961). The landfill gases may also-contain ~trace amounts of other__ contaminants which could pose a potential health risk. However, gas chrom~ographic analyses by the_Minnesota Department of Healthi the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and a biochemistry laboratory at the University of Minnesota have not detected the presence of hazardous contaminants. Some of the residents were seen during the week of September 8 at the Coon Rapids Clinic (9920 Villa) by Dr. Ronald Jankowski. In a conversation on September 12 with Dr. Jankowski, he reported that based on completed tests, he had not observed evidence of physical harm to his patients specifically attributable to the landfill. Toxic granulations (basophillic cytoplasmic granules appearing in leukocytes~during infections, toxic states, or in developmentally anomalous lysosomes) were observed in two