Department of Environment & Conservation
Robert Martineau, Commissioner

Background > Air Monitoring > Current Status

 

Background

The Environmental Waste Solutions (EWS) Landfill in Camden, TN is a Class II Industrial Landfill that has been approved to receive industrial waste including waste from companies that recycle aluminum. The Landfill has been in operation since January 2010. Early in 2011, the Department began to receive complaints about an ammonia odor from the landfill. Ammonia is generated when the aluminum waste comes into contact with water. The Department began working with EWS in the spring of 2011 to resolve the ammonia odor problem.

The Department first entered into a Compliance Agreement and then a Consent Order, requiring EWS to resolve the ammonia problem from the landfill. As a part of the Consent Order, EWS has installed a synthetic liner (a part of the soil gas recovery system) over the old waste cell. This work was performed the week of January 16, 2012. Since the cover was installed we have not had complaints from neighbors about ammonia odors. The Department assessed a civil penalty of $10,000 against EWS because EWS did not complete closure of the old waste cell as required in the Consent Order that was issued on July 22, 2011.

All new waste disposed at the site is being placed in the new waste cell that is equipped with a soil gas collection system. No waste has been placed into the old cell since the new waste cell was opened.  The newly constructed waste cell has an improved design compared to the old cell. The new cell includes a soil gas collection system, daily monitoring and repair of any portions of the landfill with gas releases, continued operation of the on-site ambient air monitoring system, the addition of an off-site ambient air monitoring station and implementation of dust control measures on-site. A landfill gas leak detection and repair (LDAR) plan has been submitted and is under review by the Department.

Air Monitoring

TDEC has consulted with the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) about the impact of ammonia vapors in the community based on air monitoring results. TDH is evaluating air monitoring data and reports from field staff.  TDH indicates that the level of ammonia measured around the landfill is more than what is naturally found outdoors.

The Department employed an independent Environmental Consultant, SAIC, to collect air samples at 8 locations around the landfill twice per day on December 28, 29 & 30, 2011. Ammonia was only detected at two locations and then only sporadically. TDH has received this information to use in their analysis of community health. View SAIC Report. 

The Department has installed an air monitor off-site, in the local community, to measure ammonia concentrations. That monitor has been installed and in operation since Thursday, January 19, 2012. This is a continuous sampling device and reports ammonia data to the Department electronically. This air monitor will be in operation for 90 days in the local subdivision. After that, the monitor will be moved to a different location that is directly downwind of the site and operated for 90 days at that location. Learn more about TDEC’s Ammonia Monitoring Initiative

View TDEC’s monitoring data for Ammonia

Current Status

We recognize the ammonia odors are of concern to local residents and we share those concerns. TDEC believes the ammonia vapor problem has been primarily resolved. We have not had ammonia complaints since the synthetic landfill cover was installed over the old waste cell. The Department believes the new waste cell is not contributing to the odor issue because of the requirement to install and operate a soil gas collection system in the new cell as a part of its design.

We have received complaints about “dust” coming from the placement of aluminum waste into an on-site storage building. The Department has asked EWS to add dust control measures to the building to prevent any dust from leaving the building when placed there. The reason for on-site storage is to provide an option for storage of the waste when it is raining or the ground is saturated from rain. The aluminum waste reacts with water to generate ammonia.