ROCKTON, Ill. — Winnebago County health officials say air quality levels have remained steady in the area near a chemical plant fire, allowing them to lift a mask mandate, but people who live near the plant are still not allowed to return home.
In an update provided Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Sandra Martell of the Winnebago County Health Department says the stable air quality is allowing them to remove a recommendation for people within three miles of the Chemtool plant in Rockton to wear masks. However, health officials say they are not ready to lift an evacuation order for people who live within one mile of the plant.
The evacuation order is remaining in place until the health department can determine what makes up the debris that fell across the area after the explosion and fire at the plant on Monday morning. Dr. Martell said they did not want to allow people back in their homes without also giving them guidance on how they can safely clean up the debris and do things like run their air conditioners without having to worry abour particulate matter.
Fire Chief Kirk Wilson says industrial firefighting teams continue to make good progress in putting out the fire, which has been burning at the plant since about 7 a.m. Monday. Wilson says people in the area can still expect to see smoke for the next several days as crews continue to work.
The EPA says they are continuing to monitor air quality in the area around the clock.
COPYRIGHT 2021 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
