NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
Staten Island Landfill Debris Disposal Operation Health and Safety Program
Exposure may occur when workers enter confined spaces. Hydrogen sulfide is heavier fiian air and
tends to accumulate at the ground level. Accidental exposure may occur when workers enter
confined spaces in which hydrogen sulfide is formed by decomposition. To address this hazard,
testing of confined space atmospheres prior to entry wll be performed by a qualified person.
Carbon Dioxide - A colorless, odorless, non-combustible gas. Carbon dioxide is a simple
asphyxiant that can cause unconsciousness and death from oxygen deficiency. Inhalation of
carbon dioxide affects the rate of breathing and blood oxygen content.
Benzene-A coloriess to light-yellow liquid with an aromatic odor. Both liquid and vapor are highly
flammable. Benzene is poisonous when inhaled or absorbed through the skin. The effects of
exposure include dizziness, nausea, headache, and irritated eyes, nose, and respiratory system.
Benzene is considered a human carcinogen, and exposure must be kept as low as possible.
i
Vinyl Chloride - A colorless, extremely flammable gas or liquid with a pleasant odor at high
concentrations. Acute system effects include central nervous system depression, causing
I
I
symptoms resembling alcohol intoxication. It may also cause light-headedness and nausea. Vinyl
I
chloride is heavier than air and tends to accumulate at ground level. Vinyl chloride is considered a
human carcinogen, and exposure must be kept as low as possible.
I
It is important to recognize that landfill emissions contain a variety of volatile organic compounds. \
While some of these compounds are present only in trace amounts, their toxicity require that they be \
recognized and evaluated. The potential for exposure is particularly important when specific \
operations are performed that increase the exposure potential, either by bnnging personnel into \
contact with the liquids or by placing workers at locations where gases or vapors have collected. \
-End of excerpt from 1999 Operations and Maintenance Pian -
EE&G obtained the 1996 document titled “Health Consultation, Fresh Kills Landfill, Staten Island,
Richmond County, New York”prepared by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). This study was performed primarily to assess exposure issues for facilities located
adjacent and downwind from the landfill, not for workers on the landfill. The “Conclusions” section of
47
NYC-V\/TC_000150304
OCR can misread numbers and units. Confirm readings against the page image before using them.