Environmental Health and Safety Plan draft for Staten Island Landfill,

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 heavierthan 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 will 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 colorless 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.

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 symptoms resembling alcohol intoxication. It may also cause light-headedness and nausea. Vinyl chloride is heavier than air and tends to accumulate at ground level. Vinyl chloride is considered a human carcinogen, and exposure rmjst be kept as low as possible.

It is important to recognize that landfill emissions contain a variety of volatile organic compounds. White some of these compounds are present only in trace amounts, their toxicity require thattheybe recognized and evaluated. The potential for exposure is particularly important when specific operations are performed that increase the exposure potential, either by bringing 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 Plan -

EE&G obtained the 1996 document titled “Health Consultation, Fresh Kills Landhll, 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

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