Reader's Viewpoint: Potential dangers lurk in Countywide Landfill
To the Editor:
As nauseating and repulsive as the horrible garbage odors are that the good people of northern Tuscarawas and southern Stark County have to endure, a much greater and health threatening problem possibly exists at Countywide Landfill.
Although The Times-Reporter printed some of the report as it appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal, I feel that the full story should be told to your readers so they can decide for themselves the potential dangers that are lurking in that massive mountain of garbage.
The following are a few more of the excerpts from the Beacon Journal’s report:
– Larry Davis, the pilot who conducted the flight with thermal infrared detection equipment, stated: “A huge underground fire is burning AND growing at the landfill.” Davis estimated that the area of the landfill that glowed on his monitor had increased 12 fold between August and December. The Countywide fire is the largest he has seen in 10 years of flight.
– Such a fire could release cancer-causing chemical into the air, could cause danger of explosions and in a worst case scenario could threaten part of Canton’s water supply, according to the Beacon Journal report.
– California expert on landfill fires, Todd Thalhamer, said, “Professionally speaking, I believe there is a fire but there is a chance that it is a chemical reaction. But I don’t think so.”
– Another expert on landfill fires, Tony Sperling of Landfill Fire Control Inc., is also convinced Countywide is on fire. “It’s pretty conclusive to me,” he said. “It looks like it is really cooking big.”
Here are some dangers from a fire:
An underground fire could create dioxins, a known cancer-causing agent and the key ingredient in Agent Orange and furans, a possible human carcinogen.
High levels of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, have been found in the landfill’s gas collection system.
Temperatures at Countywide have exceeded 200 degrees and approached 250 degrees at the center of the landfill, according to Countywide. Normal temperature in a landfill is 85 to 105 degrees.
Plastic liners experience early stages of melting at 150 degrees. The melting point is between 235 and 260 degrees and complete melting is 284 degrees.
In some area where the fire is believed to be, the surface has sunk 30 feet. EPA records show normally a landfill might settle 10 to 15 feet.
Property values in northern Tuscarawas are on a decline and several property deals have failed to close because of the odors from Countywide. Although the odors are a significant problem, I am more concerned with the future quality of our water supply and the air we breath.
It’s time that all residents of Tuscarawas and Stark County support Club 3000 with their time and finances to help get this monster problem stopped before any more damage is incurred to our equity and health.
Alfred J. Fearon, Bolivar
