Richmond Toxic Fire: EPA searching for, removing debris from schools in both Indiana, Ohio

RICHMOND — The Environmental Protection Agency continued its work to search for and study debris from a large industrial fire in Richmond earlier this week.

EPA contractors spent Saturday searching for, flagging and removing debris from schools in Richmond and Ohio, the city of Richmond posted on social media.

>>PHOTOS: Large-scale fire continues to send plumes of black smoke into air in Richmond

Debris was cleared from three schools in Richmond and one in Ohio, the EPA said on its website Saturday evening.

Crews were searching for debris from the fire, flagging what they find and removing it.

The EPA said they must evaluate the potential for exposure first, per OSHA standards.

Once exposure levels are demonstrated to be safe, protective gear will be downgraded, the EPA said.

The EPA continues to work with local and state officials on a plan to collect debris from homes in the surrounding communities.

They also continue 24-hour air monitoring and sampling and is sharing data with health agencies as well as local and state entities to help inform their decision whether to lift the evacuation order.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Richmond Toxic Fire: Firefighters have 90% of fire out at plastic facility

Contractors wore protective gear until sample results are returned to minimize exposure to possible asbestos.

Debris will be cleared from schools first, then contractors will move on to residential properties, parks and/or public areas and businesses.

Because of this risk of asbestos, which releases microscopic fibers when disturbed, the EPA asked anyone with debris to not move or mow over it.

Air monitoring continues in several locations, including the hospital and several long-term care facilities, according to Richmond’s website.

>> I-TEAM: Documents show Richmond officials’ concern about plastics facility years prior to toxic fire

Overnight air monitoring around the community did not identify particulate matter, but it was detected in the evacuation zone, Richmond said.

City officials along with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have also begun to sample surface and municipal water for any impacts.

Firefighters continue to address hot spots and flare-ups at the plastics recycling facility.

We will continue following this developing story and update as new information is released.

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