Construction at the Keegan Landfill in Kearny began Tuesday, and residents are being warned that the smell from the site could get worse.
Residents in the area have filed complaints with the state about the rotten egg smell for over a year. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority says drilling at the site may cause increased hydrogen sulfide odors in the air.
The Gas Collection and Control System began construction around 7 a.m. to install 28 vertical gas extraction wells at a depth of 40 to 50 feet each. The construction is expected to last 10 days, and will last between the hours of 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Neighbors protested several months ago, saying they wanted the landfill closed because of the odor and that the sulfide was reaching unhealthy levels. State officials ordered air quality monitors to be installed at the site.
The state's Department of Environmental Protection and the NJSEA says they will do hourly checks of the hydrogen sulfide concentrations.
The NJDEP says to call the WARN hotline at 877-927-6337 in the event you smell any odors.