The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an update regarding an explosion and firethat took place at Nova-Kem Chemicals Company in Seward, Illinois on June 2-3, 2013.
According to a news release from the IEPA, the portions of the facility that were affected by the fire have been demolished, and the residual chemicals and chemical containers have been packaged and taken off-site.
The site is undergoing an environmental investigation. Once the investigation is complete, decisions can be made regarding the extent of cleanup actions necessary on the facility or in off-site areas.
Environmental sampling has been conducted by Illinois EPA and a consultant for Nova-Kem on a number of residential properties to evaluate whether trace chemicals were deposited by the smoke plume during the fire. Illinois EPA will hold a public availability session to discuss these findings on Wednesday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Seward School Center, 2970 Tracey Street in Seward.
Illinois EPA also announced that Nova-Kem will be allowed to conduct limited manufacturing operations at its facility in Seward, under conditions of certain safety requirements. Nova-Kem is currently under a court order to cease and desist all operations at the facility.