Oct 10, 2013 By Toni Cekada for The 3 min read

GERMAN TWP. — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) brought the state’s only mobile analytical lab to the area this week to test air quality around the Chestnut Valley Landfill, owned by Advanced Disposal.

“This is a very sophisticated system, and we have a great deal of faith in its ability to assist us,” said John Poister, spokesman for the DEP of the southwest region.

The lab is in the area to help address complaints from township residents who have indicated that the landfill is responsible for particularly offensive odors, which at times, last for hours.

The lab basically conducts testing in two major steps, Poister said.

The lab is first set up at a neutral site to gather a baseline reading, he said. This reading collects initial air samples from a location where the wind is coming toward the area, as opposed to from the landfill. These samples are called “untainted.”

State Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-South Union Township, said the initial testing was conducted near the McClellandtown crossroads.

The initial sample is later compared to air samples from around the landfill, Poister said.

On Tuesday, the lab visited the Footdale Volunteer Fire Department and the Messmore Rod and Gun Club, where two technicians were tucked away inside the lab. The van that houses the lab was stationed on the back side of the landfill, about 150 yards from its active site, said landfill manager Dean Mori said.

Poister said the lab picks up anything in the air, including elements and compounds.

“(The lab) is so sensitive that if a car is going down the street near the landfill, it will pick up the exhaust fumes,” he said.

The mobile device is able to measure air quality by using a target with high-tech mirrors that measure molecules from a reflector. There is a single window on the lab that is lined up with the target. Everything that crosses the “imaginary beam” from the window to the target is analyzed, Poister said.

Technicians from the DEP have been working 12-hour shifts to test the air during different conditions, Poister said. These conditions include breeze or no breeze, early morning air, evening air, etc.

The lab has been placed in locations downwind of the landfill in order to take samples directly from the site.

Poister said testing will be wrapped up today, and then all samples will be taken to Harrisburg to be analyzed for results, which should take about four weeks.

“If there is anything in that landfill, this will pick it up,” Poister said.

Upon receiving results, Mahoney said his next plan of action is to explore the safety of area mines and gas wells. Mahoney said he helped facilitate bringing the lab to the township.

“Everybody wants to get to the bottom of the matter to see if there is any danger or not,” Mahoney said. “The number one priority is public safety.”