The Environmental Protection Agency issued an update Friday evening on the ongoing efforts to manage the Lincoln Chemical building fire, revealing significant advancements in the containment and cataloging process.
Since the last update on November 17, 2023, substantial strides have been made in testing chemical containers within the mobile laboratory to determine their contents. This meticulous cataloging effort, now 75% complete, precedes the safe relocation of materials to temporary storage. Daily structural integrity inspections continue, ensuring a secure working environment before on-site activities commence.
Air monitoring, a critical component of the response strategy, is actively ongoing. Results thus far align with expected background levels, providing reassurance about environmental impacts beyond the immediate site.
The EPA underscores its unwavering commitment to addressing community concerns and the urgency of the situation. Residents seeking information or with questions are encouraged to reach out to the local Citizen Service Center at 1-877-727-3234 or CSC@ReadingPA.gov. Additionally, Renata Thakurdyal, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, can be contacted at 215-814-2745 or Thakurdyal.Renata@epa.gov.
