Gypsum Blamed for Odor Problem

The neighbors of a Scranton, Pa., C&D landfill have been complaining about a strong odor coming form the site, and initial investigation by environmental authorities shows the cause may be gypsum in the landfill causing the “rotten egg smell.”

According to the Scranton Times, two mobile laboratories from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) were at the Environmental and Recycling Services, Inc. (ERSI) landfill to identify the source of a widespread, sulfur-type odor. The action followed less than a week after the department issued an administrative order to ERSI demanding the landfill correct the problem. ERSI was reportedly working cooperatively to fix the problem.

ERSI’s landfill is next to an old, closed municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill, and both were being checked to see which is the source of the problem. ERSI has been using odor-masking chemicals and has added cover soil as means to combat the odor if it was, in fact, causing the problem. The landfill remains in operation.