La Salle air, water levels safe, EPA says day after chemical fire

Air and water levels are determined to be normal after preliminary testing following a fire at the Carus Chemical plant in La Salle, according the Environmental Protection Agency.

“Since we began air monitoring and to this moment, there have not been any detections above our action levels,” said EPA on-site coordinator Robert Kondreck during a Thursday press conference at the Grove Center in La Salle.

The city of La Salle issued a press release Friday saying the response to the chemical fire has entered a long-term cleanup phase. The company will conduct the cleanup under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois EPA oversight. Additionally, U.S. EPA air monitoring has ended and data showed no levels of concern. Carus will continue air monitoring during cleanup.

The EPA began air monitoring around the community Wednesday afternoon.

Residents are told not to touch a substance covering homes, cars and other property released into the community from the fire. The oxidant released, potassium permanganate, is reportedly non-toxic but can still be harmful.

Carus officials said Thursday afternoon the safest way to wash the chemical is to use water.

EPA representative Tony Falconio said to limit outside exposure for pets as a precaution. If the oxidant does get on a pet, wash it off with water. Falconio recommends monitoring pets and taking animals to a local veterinarian if needed.

Allen Gibbs, vice president of operations at Carus Chemical, said the oxidant will deactivate within a few days or when it rains. At that time, he said the chemical will no longer pose a health threat to the community.

A community clean-up plan is being developed by the Carus corporation, Gibbs said. Details of the plan will be released on the Carus website at https://www.carusllc.com/carus-llc-confirms-fire-at-manufacturing-plant/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/carusllc/.

“The health and safety of the community remains a top priority for us at Carus,” Gibbs said. “We’re working with local first responders, officials and regulatory groups to guide clean up efforts.”

Fire Chief Jerry Janick said the fire is considered extinguished and the property was returned to the owners at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday. All Carus workers were evacuated safely and there were no injuries, except for minor injuries to two firefighters who were treated and released, Janick said.

The cause of the fire is undetermined but not suspicious, Janick said.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the La Salle County Health Department, The Environmental Protection Agency, La Salle County Emergency Management Agency and other agencies are actively responding to the situation.