Bud Angst

In the following viewpoint, Bud Angst asserts that modern landfills are much safer than town dumps of the past. He describes the advanced technologies—such as multiple liners and collection systems for garbage-produced methane gas—that make modern landfills safe. Angst also contends that ample government oversight prevents abuses that might endanger the health of residents living near landfills. Bud Angst writes for the Citizen-Standard, a daily newspaper published in Valley View, Pennsylvania.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Angst, how thick is a high-density polyethylene liner compared to an average trash bag?
2. What is Bentonite, according to the author?
3. In the author’s opinion, why is it unlikely that a landfill’s daily records would be faked"

Old-time municipal dumps and modern landfills are alike in one respect: They both...