May 18, 2024
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Possible tests following Carus fire could cost La Salle $80,000

Indoor Science recommends more tests, says Sierra Club testing was incomplete

By Olivia Doak
Excavators clean debris from Carus Chemical Company nearly one month after the fire on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. The fire began on Jan. 11, 2023 and escalated to a fourth Mutual Aid Box Alarm System and brought in more than a dozen fire departments and emergency responders, in addition to the Environmental Protection Agency, Coast Guard and HAZMAT teams.

A third party expert recommended additional indoor air quality testing that would cost the city of La Salle $80,000 in response to the Jan. 11 Carus fire. (sanderson@shawmedia.com)

They think there are additional things to check for.

—  Deputy Clerk Brent Bader

A third party expert recommended additional indoor air quality testing that would cost the city of La Salle $80,000 in response to the Jan. 11 Carus fire.

Indoor Science, an indoor air quality organization, had recommendations following results presented by the Sierra Club of metals found in eight furnace filter samples at the March 6 City Council meeting.

Indoor Science proposed testing the eight samples the Sierra Club collected in addition to finding eight homes that haven’t changed their furnace filter since the fire and eight homes that have changed their filter. The goal is to have a baseline and other types of data as a comparison.

The proposed testing would cost $3,100 per home plus an additional $5,000 to $6,000 to get the final study. The total cost would amount to $80,000.

Deputy Clerk Brent Bader said it’s up to the City Council whether the city can afford to do the testing. Bader brought the information to the council on Monday and no decision or definite next steps were established by the council.

The recommendation comes after Brownfield Engineering, the city’s third party testing consultant, talked with a representative from Indoor Science about recommendations for future testing.

According to Bader, Brownfield reported there are more items to be tested for than was tested by the Sierra Club.

“They think there are additional things to check for,” Bader said.

One resident asked during Monday’s meeting why Carus isn’t paying for the tests. Mayor Jeff Grove said it’s a great point, and said the city is exploring options to get reimbursed by Carus for the testing.

Based on the results of the testing that has been done by the U.S EPA, the IEPA and IDNR, there has been nothing to indicate any further testing is necessary at this time, Carus said in response to why the company isn’t paying for additional testing.

“These regulatory agencies are the gold standard when it comes to protecting human health and preserving the environment. In fact, their purpose is to do just that,” said the Carus Environmental Health, Safety, Security and Quality Director Cory Peruba. “We’ve proudly worked to meet the standards and regulations put in place by these agencies. We hold the highest level of confidence in their technology and testing methods.”

Indoor Science is a top regional expert in indoor air quality. The organization tests, monitors and recommends improvements to reduce risk factors before they become health hazards, according to its website.