The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found nothing hazardous at the scene of the ongoing trash facility fire in Orrington, an official said Thursday.
The EPA did particulate and dust collection Wednesday and Thursday near the Eagle Point Energy Center, formerly known as the Penobscot Energy Recovery Co., Orrington Town Manager Chris Backman said.
Area residents have been concerned about the health consequences of the smoke that has hung over Greater Orringington since a fire was reported around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the facility. The fire is still burning and it will likely be several more days before it is extinguished, Orrington Fire Chief Scott Stewart said.
“Nothing hazardous” was found at the facility and at monitoring stations in surrounding areas, Backman said. The EPA is wrapping up its testing and appears to be going home because of those findings, he said. He said he’s taking that as a positive sign.
The EPA did not find any significant amounts of mercury and radiation, it said in a news release. Monitoring for hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide also did not find “concentrations of concern.”
However, people with health sensitivities should stay indoors and Backman said he supports the towns and schools canceling outdoor activities because there still “a lot of unknowns.”
The multi-day fire destroyed the roof and siding of the roughly 200-by-400 foot warehouse that holds about 6,000 tons of trash. There were around 10,000 tons of trash there a year ago, Backman said.
Even before the fire, the roof needed to be replaced. That work is scheduled for November, Backman said. The remaining siding on the building is being torn down and will be replaced later, he said.
The owners of the facility said they believe it was caused by a lithium-ion battery. However, Stewart and the former plant manager both said Wednesday that they doubt that was the cause.
