Missouri health department releases Bridgeton Landfill evaluation for public comment

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Jefferson City, Missouri, has evaluated air data collected near Bridgeton Landfill in Bridgeton, Missouri, to determine the impacts of landfill gas emissions on people's health. The evaluated air data were collected by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Jefferson City, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington, from 2013 to 2016. DHSS is releasing the evaluation for public comment. The public comment period is open for 60 days from Sept. 21 to Nov. 20.

Bridgeton Landfill is a solid waste landfill located within the boundaries of the West Lake Landfill in the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area. Subsurface smoldering at the landfill, which was first reported in December 2010, resulted in increased gas and odor emissions from the landfill. Chemical and odor emissions have since been substantially reduced.

The findings of the report are:

• In the past, breathing sulfur-based compounds at concentrations detected in air near the landfill may have harmed the health of people living or working near the landfill by aggravating existing chronic diseases, such as asthma or chronic cardiopulmonary disease, or caused respiratory effects, such as chest tightness or difficulty breathing, especially in sensitive individuals living or working near the landfill. Breathing the odors of sulfur-based compounds may have also caused headache, nausea or fatigue.
• In the past, long-term or repeated exposure to sulfur-based compounds and their odors in the air near the landfill may have increased stress, impaired mood or increased the risk of respiratory infection for those living or working near the landfill.
• Currently, fugitive emissions from the landfill have decreased significantly, and breathing sulfur-based compounds in the air near the landfill is unlikely to harm most people's health. The odors of low concentrations of sulfur-based compounds may occasionally affect the health or quality of life of people living or working near the landfill.
• Breathing other (i.e., nonsulfur based) chemicals that have been detected in the air is not expected to harm people's health.
• Current cancer risks from breathing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) near the landfill are similar to those in other urban environments in the United States.

"We have seen a downward trend in sulfur-based chemicals in the air near the landfill, and this is encouraging," Jonathan Garoutte, administrator of the DHSS Section for Environmental Public Health, says. "In the past, odors and sulfur-based compounds were being detected much more frequently. Currently, breathing the air near the landfill is unlikely to harm people's health."

Because occasional offensive odors may trigger asthma or affect quality of life, especially for sensitive individuals living or working near the landfill, DHSS continues to recommend:

• When odors are objectionable, stay indoors as much as possible and avoid outdoor exercise. This is especially important for sensitive individuals: children, elderly adults and people with chronic respiratory conditions.
• Seek immediate medical advice for any acute respiratory symptoms such as difficulty breathing. Offensive odors may cause changes in breathing or trigger an asthma attack.
• Seek medical advice for any persistent symptoms that do not subside when the odors dissipate, including symptoms associated with stress.
• Always practice good health protective measures, such as following recommended nutrition guidelines and getting regular exercise. Individuals at risk of chronic stress are advised to develop a comprehensive stress management plan.

DHSS also recommends that air data continue to be collected while the subsurface smoldering and remedial work on the landfill continue. The department will hold a public meeting during the public comment period in the month of October.

DHSS encourages people to read the Bridgeton Landfill health consultation document and make written comments. The document may be viewed at health.mo.gov/bridgeton or at the St. Louis Public Library, Bridgeton Trails Branch in Bridgeton. Written public comments may be sent by email to BridgetonComments@health.mo.gov or postal mail to

Lorena Locke, Bureau of Environmental Epidemiology,
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO, 65102

Comments need to be submitted or postmarked by Nov. 20.