PLAINFIELD — The Environmental Protection Agency has released a nearly 900 page report about the March 16 Walmart warehouse fire.
Air monitoring and sampling, as well as fire ash debris samples, were taken and analyzed in the days after the fire.
The EPA's field monitoring measurements found levels of particulate matter (PM) above screening levels in the area where residents were encouraged to shelter in place. Fire ash and debris were generated for miles.
PM, a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air, can cause serious health problems.
Asbestos was not detected in the EPA samples, but the amount of benzene and arsenic found in samples exceeded the regional screening levels (RSL). Additionally, the report limit for 1,2-Dibromo 3-Chloropropane and thallium were above the EPA's removal management levels (RML) and regional screening levels (RSL).
"Concentrations EPA detected at Plainfield Warehouse Fire are not expected to result in adverse health effects for short exposure durations, such as a fire lasting several days,"the EPA's website said.
The EPA says these volatile organic compounds (VOC) were located through sampling and lab analysis:
- Propene
- Dichlorodifluoromethane
- Chloromethane
- Ethanol
- Acetone
- Trichlorofluoromethane
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- n-Hexane
- Benzene
- Carbon Tetrachloride
- Toluene
- Tetrachloroethene
- m,p-Xylenes
To read the full EPA report, click here.
In March, Walmart announcedthe entire facility would close because of the extent of the damage.
PREVIOUS: Walmart Distribution Fire: Why you should stay indoors, keep away from debris from Plainfield fire | PHOTOS: Plainfield Walmart Distribution Center Fire | Walmart extends disaster benefits to employees at IND1 Fulfillment Center in Plainfield | ATF begins on-site investigation into Walmart facility fire in Plainfield
-
I have a frozen Thanksgiving turkey. When should I thaw it?
Do you have a large Thanksgiving turkey in your freezer taking up space? Learn when you should move it to the fridge.Local Boy Scout thanks first responders with large popcorn donation
Thanking first responders who put their lives on the line for the community is what a local Boy Scout did through a donation to IMPD's Mobile Crisis Assistance Team.New details emerge about the Department of Government Efficiency's proposed cuts
How much will the Department of Government Efficiency change the country's federal government? Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are revealing new details about how it will work and how long it will take.3 shot, 1 killed on Indy’s northwest side
Three people were shot, leaving one of them dead, on the northwest side of Indianapolis on Thursday night.