Dive Brief:

• The state attorney general filed an injunction on June 2, requesting that Republic Services do a better job protecting the public from the release of noxious and potentially harmful gasses at its Bridgeton, MO site.
• Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster seeks odor control, a larger number of air control measures and better monitoring of the Bridgeton landfill due to the detection of benzene on-site on May 31.
• According to a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, 250 ppb of gas was detected in an area of the landfill. The local fire department was notified of the elevated levels. 

Dive Insight:

Attorney General Koster believes Republic Services hasn't been doing everything in its power to eliminate the ongoing issues present at the Bridgeton site, despite a court order in January to increase air monitoring at the site. Koster says his office is "asking the court to compel Republic to take additional steps to prevent any such future release of hazardous material into the air."

Republic Services conducted their own follow-up test and did not find elevated levels, according to a statement released by a Bridgeton landfill spokesperson.