Following the Oct. 2 incinerator fire at the Eagle Point Energy Center (EPEC), in Orrington, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection are analyzing water samples from the Penobscot River, and air samples taken at monitoring sites in Orrington.

Test result are pending, the DEP said, Oct. 3.

The DEP said air samples collected do not show concentrations of concern on the chemical specific sensors. Additionally, a Mercury Vapor Analyzer and Radiation Detector were also used and detected nothing of significance.

Monitoring staff could visibly see and smell smoke at three of the sampling locations (EPEC Entrance, Lots of Love Daycare, and the Edythe Dyer Community Library).  Staff could smell but not see smoke at two school sampling locations (George B. Weatherbee School in Hamden and the Center Drive School).  Smoke was not smelled or visible at the Orrington Center Church. 

Preliminary review of the HAPs data analyzed from these six grab samples by both ME DEP and the Maine CDC was similar to background levels and did not raise exposure concerns.  

The ME DEP and ME CDC believe that particulate matter is the dominant pollutant of possible health concern at this time.  Final data will be released shortly.

Federal Air Quality Monitoring Efforts

Additional air quality monitoring has also been conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

The DEP contacted EPA’s Region 1 office in Boston to request air monitoring support at approximately 7 a.m., October 2, in response to the fire at Eagle Point Energy Center LLC. 

The EPA arrived on site and integrated into unified command at noon, Oct. 2.

Upon arrival, EPA responders used handheld air monitoring equipment around the vicinity of the facility. 

A MultiRAE dectector was used to identify the concentration of the following: Oxygen (O2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Lower Explosive Limit (LEL%), Chlorine (Cl2), Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN), Ammonia (NH3), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and Nitric Oxide (NO). 

The air samples collected do not show concentrations of concern on the chemical specific sensors. Additionally, a Mercury Vapor Analyzer and Radiation Detector were also used and detected nothing of significance, the DEP said.

Also, EPA established air monitoring around the perimeter of the facility, including AreaRAEs to detect hazardous gases and aerosol monitors to detect particulate matter. 

The aerosol monitors measure the mass concentration of aerosol contaminants such as dust, smoke, fumes, and mists. 

Since EPA’s arrival on the scene, the smoke from the fire has primarily traveled north. Therefore, EPA concentrated air monitoring efforts on the north side of the facility. EPA continued to conduct air monitoring throughout the night of October 2, and no air emissions were detected at concentrations of concern on the chemical specific sensors on the AreaRAEs. EPA continues to coordinate with local and state responders to monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary.

Data from Emergency Departments Examined by Maine CDC

The Maine CDC’s environmental epidemiologists have reviewed emergency department (ED) data since the fire on October 1-2, as compared to ED visits over the past few months, to assess whether there has been any increase in all-cause visits or visits related to respiratory outcomes, either in Orrington-area hospitals or among Orrington residents. 

The Maine CDC sees no evidence for an increase in all-cause visits or in visits for any type of respiratory complaints that might be related to smoke exposure or poor air quality.

 Additionally, a review of the visit notes and other documentation for all ED visits in these hospitals over the past two days found no evidence to indicate anyone complaining of exposure to smoke or poor air quality – from the EPEC facility fire or from any other source, the DEP release said. 

The Maine CDC’s environmental epidemiologists will continue to monitor these data for any evidence of health impacts for the duration of the smoke event.