HEALTH AND SAFETYADVISORY Following the Magnesium Elektron Explosion and Fire

SPRINGFIELD— Illinois EPA has initiated an inspection following the explosion and fire late on October 4 at the Magnesium Elektron plant in Venice.  The Agency is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to evaluate any potential health issues that may have been caused by the fire.

 

Information currently available to the Illinois EPA does not indicate any potentially negative impact to the health of area citizens, especially considering the short time anyone might have been exposed.  The primary chemical in the fire, magnesium, is an essential nutrient; it burns at a very hot temperature and forms magnesium oxide.  If someone was directly exposed to smoke from the fire in the immediate aftermath of the explosion, they may have inhaled particulates and experienced short-term lung or eye irritation.  However, magnesium oxide can be digested and expelled from the human body.  It does not accumulate in fat tissue, nor does it lodge in the lungs to cause future health issues.

 

State and federal environmental agencies are continuing to investigate to determine whether any other chemicals or compounds were present in the building during the fire.  An Illinois EPA air monitoring station located approximately two miles northeast of the facility showed no increase of particulate pollution during the event. A field survey will be conducted in the immediate area around the facility to identify any materials deposited as a result of the smoke plume from the incident. Additional samples will be collected if needed. Any additional information will be shared with the public.

 

The immediate advice from the Illinois Department of Public Health is simply to rinse with water or wash off any visible dust or ash that may have deposited on outdoor furniture, playground equipment or garden vegetables.