LS Council gets tough analysis of Carus fire Monday night
by: John Small, Starved Rock Media, March 7, 2023
LaSalle City Council got grim numbers about the Carus Chemical fire Monday night. At Mayor Jeff Grove’s invitation, the Sierra Club‘s MIla Kellen Marshall P.hD and Denise Trabbic-Pointer spoke to the Council about testing done immediately after the January 11th fire. Speaking by phone from Michigan, Trabbic-Pointer said particulate matter was sampled for about 19 hours after the blaze.
This dust is so fine, she said, it gets into the deepest parts of the lungs. More troubling said Trabbic-Pointer, were results showing levels 12 points above the 24-hour regulatory limit. Later, an examination of eight furnace filters taken from affected homes showed the presence of the metals Barium, Copper, Lead, Manganese and Zinc. Alderman Jim Bacidore asked Trabbic-Pointer is it safe outside for kids and pets:
For almost two hours, residents whose property took the brunt of the chemical laden smoke, took more shots at Carus and sometimes the city. The question of legal action against Carus was discussed. City Attorney Jim McPhedran said it’s something that’s costly and a deeply involved process. Carus Chemical officials continue to duck City Council meetings.
EPA Test Results & Sierra Club analysis of chemical samples taken 1/12/23 following the Carus Chemical explosion & fire
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How is the fire affecting surrounding towns? Alotta ppl in ottawa have been complaining about infection s similar to sinus and ear infections and so forth antibiotics after antibiotics for months still ongoing. The question is could this be from the chemical fires ? A great number of ppl are experiencing this
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Hi Marie, Thank you for this comment. It might be a good idea for Ottawa people to have their air and furnace filters tested for metals and contaminants, too. Jamie Hicks is coordinating filter testing. Please contact him to have your filter tested. 815-252-4417.
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