PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Department of Public Health said air samples from Tuesday’s massive junkyard fire in Southwest Philadelphia found no toxic chemicals that would warrant a threat to the public’s health.
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In a statement released Wednesday, the department said the compounds in the air were all at substantially low levels by EPA standards.
However, health officials warn Philadelphians near the site of the fire to limit their time outside due to higher-than-normal levels of particulate matter in the air from the smoke.
At-risk people, like those with heart or lung problems, are advised to stay indoors and not exert themselves.
The particulate matter threat is expected to dissipate overnight.
The fire started at the recycling plant at 61st Street and Lindbergh Boulevard around 3 p.m. Tuesday. About 100 firefighters battled the blaze for several hours.
The plume of dark smoke could be seen all over the city, from Philadelphia International Airport to the Art Museum area.