Health department addresses cancer concerns near former Montville landfill

Given concerns raised by community members regarding the former Montville Landfill, the Medina County Health Department (MCHD) is sharing information to help residents understand the current situation.

History of Montville Landfill

The former Montville Landfill, reportedly located in the 6300 block of Wadsworth Road, stopped accepting material in 1985 and officially closed in 1995. The site remains under the authority of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA).

Like all landfills, the site is required to undergo post-closure care for health and environmental protection. At the Montville Landfill, this includes annual, semiannual and quarterly inspections. These inspections include groundwater quality monitoring and explosive gas monitoring. If a hazard is identified, Ohio EPA would notify MCHD.

In 2022, a methane gas concern was identified on the site. The issue was resolved with no threat to the public. Outside of that methane concern, no other issues have been identified by Ohio EPA. Active air and water monitoring for any potential hazard to the public is ongoing. If any threat were identified, including any cancer-causing hazards, MCHD would notify the public.

At this time, there is no indication that anything of concern has migrated off the landfill. Residents served by municipal water do not need to be concerned, as their water supply does not come from the landfill area.

Residents with private wells may have their water tested for contaminants of concern. For questions about testing well water, call 330-723-9688, option 3.

Cancer questions and concerns

MCHD monitors cancer rates throughout Medina County using official data from the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System (OCISS). Since 1992, Ohio medical providers have been required by law to report diagnosed cancer cases to OCISS.

In response to community concerns, MCHD works closely with the Ohio Department of Health to determine whether the number of cases of a specific cancer type in a specific area is higher than would be expected based on state and national cancer rates.

If a cancer type were found to be higher than expected in a specific geographic area, MCHD would notify the public.

Age-adjusted all-cancer incidence rates for the census tracts that include the Montville Landfill area were similar to countywide rates during the 2015-24 period and have not warranted further investigation at this time.

Cancer risk is often influenced by multiple factors rather than a single cause. These may include lifestyle, genetic, occupational and environmental factors. Different cancer types also have different known risk factors.

Cancer data summaries are available on the MCHD website and the Ohio Department of Health website.

MCHD said it will continue monitoring cancer data in Medina County, as well as any potentially hazardous conditions related to the former Montville Landfill.