1/13/23 Site Update
U.S. EPA has completed air monitoring at the site. All
data have been posted to the website. EPA has left the site but will assist IEPA in
the oversight of the long-term cleanup by Carus. A final press release was
issued from the city of La Salle, IEPA and U.S. EPA, posted to the website’s
documents section.
1/12/23 Site Update
U.S. EPA continued air monitoring overnight at the site
and in the surrounding community and did not detect any substances at levels of
concern. Data are posted in the documents section of this website. EPA will
continue to conduct air monitoring today and post the data.
EPA continues to work with local, state and federal
agencies. The city lifted the shelter-in-place order yesterday evening. Carus
established a hotline for the community: 815-224-6662.
1/11/23 5 p.m.
U.S. EPA arrived at the Carus fire response around 2 p.m.
and began to install air monitoring equipment at the fire site and in the
surrounding neighborhood. The agency will post data as it becomes available.
U.S. EPA has confirmed with the local fire department
that no PFAS-containing foam was used for fire suppression. U.S. EPA will
assess whether any runoff from firefighting efforts left the site.
U.S. EPA is coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard,
La Salle County EMA, IEPA and the local fire department.
Background
At 9 a.m. on January 11, 2023, an explosion occurred at
the Carus, LLC chemical plant in La Salle, Illinois. The plant manufactures water
treatment and pollution control chemicals. The plant was evacuated, and the
local police department issued a shelter-in-place order surrounding the plant
affecting about 1,000 residents. La Salle County Emergency Management Agency and
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency requested U.S. EPA’s assistance with
air monitoring.
