Relation between malodor, ambient hydrogen sulfide, and health in a community bordering a landfill

BackgroundMunicipal solid waste landfills are sources of air pollution that may affect the health and quality of life of neighboring communities.ObjectivesTo investigate health and quality of life concerns of neighbors related to landfill air pollution.MethodsLandfill neighbors were enrolled and kept twice-daily diaries for 14 d about odor intensity, alteration of daily activities, mood states, and irritant and other physical symptoms between January and November 2009. Concurrently, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) air measurements were recorded every 15-min. Relationships between H2S, odor, and health outcomes were evaluated using conditional fixed effects regression models.ResultsTwenty-three participants enrolled and completed 878 twice-daily diary entries. H2S measurements were recorded over a period of 80 d and 1-h average H2S=0.22 ppb (SD=0.27; range: 0–2.30 ppb). Landfill odor increased 0.63 points (on 5-point Likert-type scale) for every 1 ppb increase in hourly average H2S when the wind was blowing from the landfill towards the community (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29, 0.91). Odor was strongly associated with reports of alteration of daily activities (odds ratio (OR)=9.0; 95% CI: 3.5, 23.5), negative mood states (OR=5.2; 95% CI: 2.8, 9.6), mucosal irritation (OR=3.7; 95% CI=2.0, 7.1) and upper respiratory symptoms (OR=3.9; 95% CI: 2.2, 7.0), but not positive mood states (OR=0.6; 95% CI: 0.2, 1.5) and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (OR=1.0; 95% CI: 0.4, 2.6).ConclusionsResults suggest air pollutants from a regional landfill negatively impact the health and quality of life of neighbors.

► We investigate health and quality of life concerns of landfill neighbors related to air pollution.
► We evaluate relationships between ambient hydrogen sulfide, odor, and health.
► Landfill odor increased when hydrogen sulfide increased when the wind was blowing towards the community.
► Landfill odor was positively related to altered activities and mood and physical symptoms.
► Results suggest landfill air pollutants negatively impact neighbors’ health and quality of life.