Ambient Air Monitoring Stations begin operating near landfill

Seneca County General Health District debuted two, new ambient air monitoring stations Tuesday afternoon.

The stations are located near WIN Waste Innovations of Seneca County, and continuously monitor the air for both hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. The stations feature full meteorological towers.

Steven Schilling of Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc., a solid waste management consulting firm contracted by SCGHD, said hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide were chosen as the two gases to be monitored because they are gases of concern related to the landfill. The stations, however, have the ability to monitor up to six different pollutants. Schilling said the monitoring equipment meets all Environmental Protection Agency criteria and are set to detect the gases at a low threshold.

“These will likely detect gases before your nose does,” Schilling said.

“This will be a tool to assist the Health District when it gets an odor complaint,” Schilling added. “We will be able to correlate the meteorological data to where the complaint came from and make the judgment on whether it came from the landfill.”

The monitors collect gas measurements continuously, and real-time data is accessible by SCGHD. Reports also will be sent daily, weekly, and monthly to both SCGHD and the EPA.

Julie Richards, Seneca County Health Commissioner, said SCGHD is pleased that the construction of the ambient air monitoring stations is complete and that they are now operating.

“It was a long time in progress and I’m really happy to have them up and running,” Richards said.

“The ambient air monitors are the latest step in providing additional oversight over the landfill,” said Dr. Zachary West, Vice President of the Seneca County Board of Health. “The monitors assist in ensuring compliance with Ohio regulations regarding nuisance odors and gas pollutants that are a hazard to the health of Seneca County residents. The unbiased data gathered provides an ability to ensure accountability considering the facility’s record. A sincere thank you to all those that contributed to this major project.”