INTRODUCTION

Historically, construction and demolition (C&D) debris landfills have been considered nonhazardous operations, containing relatively inert wastes such as concrete, asphalt, wood, metals, gypsum drywall, and roofing materials.

In recent years, however, it has become increasingly clear that emissions resulting from the decomposition of gypsum drywall and organic debris are a public health issue. Drywall, comprised of gypsum (CaSO4 •2H2 O), breaks down into hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur compounds under anaerobic conditions and in the presence of water.

Overall, the good news is that C&D landfills are not known for being particularly dangerous to human health, though certainly they do come with their risks (Colledge & Wilder 2011). In each of the case studies from New York, Wisconsin and Virginia (mentioned above) where a C&D landfill was identified to pose potential health risks to the community, there were problems with the ENST 698, fall 2011 facilities that could have been prevented or fixed (United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste .