Methane is an odorless, colorless, naturally produced gas that is the major component in natural gas. Bacteria in the landfill break down organic waste in a process called decomposition and produce methane as waste.

 

According to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), “methane does not have any known toxic, poisonous or cancer-causing properties.” The major threat that methane gas poses is when it collects in an un-vented structure and accumulates to an explosive level. In an un-vented structure, methane levels between five percent and 15 percent in air present an explosion hazard. High levels of methane, above those that would cause explosion, can also cause headaches, ringing in ears, dizziness, drowsiness or unconsciousness. For more information on methane, please visit http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/chemfs/fs/Methane.htm.