State And Feds Continue To Monitor North Tulsa Landfill Fire

NewsOn6.com 

TULSA, OK -- The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the EPA continue to monitor air quality in the Tulsa area following a fire that started last Wednesday at the North Tulsa Sanitary Landfill.

In a news release, both agencies say the results indicate that no toxic materials, other than the normal components of smoke, were released into the air as a result of this fire.

EPA deployed ground monitors at various sites around the landfill to look for a variety of substances, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and inorganic compounds.

An emergency order issued last week, stopping the landfill from accepting waste, remains in effect. Under the DEQ order, the landfill must comply with all applicable regulations before it can reopen.

DEQ reminds residents that smoke is present and even without toxic vapors can irritate the respiratory system and can worsen symptoms for those who already have breathing difficulties due to conditions such as asthma and emphysema.

 DEQ continues to encourage individuals with this type of pre-existing condition to avoid the smoke by remaining indoors.

8/6/2010  Related story: Preliminary Data Indicates Nothing Toxic In North Tulsa Landfill Fire Smoke