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PqU l Iy THOMAS R. FLINN DIRECTOR C �P °tiFoAN THOMAS M. GAU CHIEF DEPUTY DIRECTOR MANUEL SOLORIO DEPUTY DIRECTOR STEVEN WINKLER DEPUTY DIRECTOR ROGER JANES BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR Mr. Robert McClellon, REHS March 27, 2007 Environmental Health Department 304 East Weber Avenue, Third Floor Stockton, California 95202 SUBJECT: LANDFILL GAS CONDENSATE ANALYSIS Dear Mr. McClellon•(�I V 0 P. O. BOX 1810 - 1810 E. HAZELTON AVENUE STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA 95201 (209) 468-3000 FAX (209) 468-2999 www.sjgov.org/pubworks You previously expressed concern regarding the possible health risks associated with exposure of Solid Waste Division staff to landfill gas (LFG) condensate. As promised, we have investigated this issue, and find that the health risks are apparently insignificant due to the low concentrations of organic compounds. It is important that County staff does not normally handle LFG condensate. The condensate is contained within the system piping and either pumped or drained by gravity into the leachate recovery systems of Module 3 or 4 in accordance with our Waste Discharge Requirements. This occurs automatically and without staff involvement or exposure. It is possible that staff may need to briefly handle condensate under unusual circumstances, thus the concern for possible impact of skin contact. We tested the condensate as promised. The results (attached) show low concentration of trace compounds, the highest of which were Acetone (18.3 PPM - 18,300 ppb) and Butanone (MEK) 28.9 PPM. We were not able to find information regarding possible impact by the very dilute solution of our condensate in direct skin contact, but information regarding skin contact by nearly -pure concentrations (most completely found at.hftp://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem profiles/acetone/health ace.html) indicates that the one ml of Acetone applied directly to the skin for ninety minutes causes only skin redness. MEK is similar, and would cause some irritation. Considering the low concentrations of these and other compounds in our condensate, it does not seem that the momentary contact would be a health hazard. The NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards primarily addresses inhalation risks. This reference indicates that an allowable atmospheric concentration of Acetone for forty hours per week is 250 ppm, and that the MEK allowable exposure is 200 ppm. Considering the dilute nature of our condensate, the well ventilated environment, and the limited time of staff contact with the condensate, this seems an even lower risk.