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B. Landfill Gas Constituents <br />Landfill gas is generated as a result of the waste breakdown at a landfill. Typically, landfill gas <br />constituents contain, by volume: <br />LANDFILL GAS CONSTITUENT <br />38-58% methanegas <br />0.2-1 % oxygen <br />2-10% nitrogen <br />30-48% carbon dioxide <br />0-1% hydrogen <br /><1% non -methane organic carbons (NMOL) <br />NMOC constituents: benzene, ethyl <br />benzene, toluene, vinyl chloride, <br />dichloromethane, trichloroethylene, 1,2,- <br />cis-dichloroeth lene, tetrachloroethylene <br />Methane is the major component of gas generated during biodegradation of solid waste buried in <br />landfills. It is an odorless and colorless gas. It does not chemically react with the body, but may <br />cause asphyxiation by displacing the oxygen in the air. The primary concern is its flammability. <br />Because of it's classification as a simple asphyxiant methane has no established exposure limits, <br />however, a threshold concentration or TWA of 1000 ppm is commonly assumed. <br />It is uncertain if methane is present at the site; however, waste decomposition is known to <br />produce various landfill gas constituents. Staff should continue to.use precaution when <br />excavating and trenching landfill areas. Personnel protective equipment requirements combined <br />with the requirement to wash arms, face, and hands before eating, drinking, smoking and prior to <br />leaving the site will help prevent exposure through absorption and ingestion pathways. <br />The following summary, Table 2 — Landfill Gas, provides exposure information for landfill gas. <br />' CIWMB Landfill Gas Characterization Study <br />Santa Fe Road Disposal Site — Health & Safety Plan 12 October 2002 <br />