The Burning of a Richmond, Ohio, Factory: Public Health Concerns and a City-Supported Measurement of Respiratory Conditions

The fire broke out at a former factory in Richmond, a city of about 35,000 residents 70 miles east of Indianapolis. Richmond sits on the state’s border with Ohio.

Authorities ordered the evacuation of people within a half-mile of the site on Tuesday and told others nearby to shelter in place. The response included local, state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

According to Dave Snow, the plant’s owner ignored a city order to clean the property and the mayor accused them of being a fire hazard.

“We know that plastic materials can be formed when they are burned and it is important for people to avoid exposure to certain chemicals.” said Richard.

Respiratory issues, such as breathing difficulty, irritation of the skin, and burning eyes are the top health concern for anyone that comes in contact with the fire. People with previous respiratory conditions should be cautious, they warned.

The residents were warned to not touch the debris that may come across the factory. Because of the building’s age, some of the debris could be contaminated with lung cancer and other illnesses.

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Agencies were working to make sure the water supply in the area is stable, and to make sure the water in the city isn’t polluted.

Snow, the mayor, said the city’s Unsafe Building Commission had previously ordered the property owner to clean up the site but said that the owner ignored the order.

The mayor said that the facility was a fire hazard and therefore they’ve taken many precautions to avoid that happening.

“Everything that’s ensued here — the fire, the damages, the risks that our first responders have taken and the risks that these citizens are under — are the responsibility of that negligent business owner,” Snow said.

Officials also encouraged people downwind of the fire to shelter in place and turn off their HVAC units, keep their windows and doors closed and bring their pets indoors.

I looked out my window. and I seen the smoke rolling and it almost looked like a storm was brewing,” Richmond resident Alicia Rhoades told WRTV.

It was unclear when people would be safe to return to the area as the fire was still burning and there were still some air quality tests to be done.

Trash collection was stopped and schools were closed on Wednesday because of a smoke exposure hazard at the nearby landfill.

Authorities said on Tuesday that the fire could continue burning for several days — producing smoke, soot and ash — because of the nature of the fire and the material that was burning.

State Fire Marshal Steve Jones said the fire was “fast-growing” due to the plastics on site and he praised the responding firefighters for keeping the blaze contained.

Tim Brown said that the 14 acres of the property had caught fire.

While the cause of the inferno is still unknown, local leaders had been expressing concerns since at least 2019 that the recycling plant was riddled with fire hazards and building code violations, records show.

The EPA is keeping an eye on the air quality because of the danger that the fire could cause: debris contaminated with toxic chemicals from the incinerated plastic, and more.

According to meeting minutes obtained by CNN, the Unsafe Building commission found that thecumulative effect of code violations made premises unsafe, substandard, and a danger to health and safety on the public.

According to the records, the owner of the plant admitted to the commission that one of the buildings had no fire extinguishing system.

CNN reached out to Smith for comment but did not receive a response. Smith’s previous attorney was unwilling to comment on the lawsuit.

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The building was completely filled with recyclables before the fire started in a semitrailer and spread to other parts of the building. The access roads that the firefighters were trying to reach were blocked by piles of plastic.

The judge ruled in the city’s favor in March 2020. The court found that Smith’s properties are dangerous to people or property because of things like being a fire hazard, being a hazard to public health, and being a nuisance.

While toxins have not yet been detected, the main health concern to residents so far is particulate matter, which are fine particles found in smoke and can cause respiratory problems if breathed in.

N95 masks – the kind widely used during the Covid-19 pandemic – could be used as a protective measure against the particles, but people should leave an area if they see or smell smoke or experience symptoms, Stinson said.

Air quality tests conducted by the EPA found no evidence of toxic chemicals such as styrene or benzene as of mid-Wednesday morning, though tests are continuing as the smoke settles.

A person is more prone to cancer if they are exposed to high levels of toxins for long periods of time.

Short-term symptoms could include dizziness, nausea, coughing, and headaches. He said that it was important to be extra careful if you have asthma, since it is regularly triggered by these types of exposures.