Air quality testing shows ‘no unsafe levels’ of contaminants after fire at SMB Products in Akron

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AKRON, Ohio (WJW) — Akron officials on Friday released air quality monitoring data collected since a large chemical fire a little more than a week ago, which they said shows the air is safe.

State and local officials have been “constantly” monitoring air quality since the Sept. 5 fire at SMB Products, 1081 Rosemary Blvd., which burned for multiple days, issuing a jet-black plume that was visible for miles.

“We are happy to report that repeated and continuous testing of our air quality has shown no unsafe levels of contaminants in our community throughout the duration of the testing,” said Mayor Shammas Malik in a Friday statement. “The safety of our residents, our employees and all who visit Akron will always be the most important priority for my administration. I want to again thank everyone involved in responding to the incident and monitoring in the days since.”

Officials have now decided to stop testing.

According to the data, there were no detections of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, methanol, xylene or atmospheric flammability.

The data indicates one detection of volatile organic compounds “just north of the affected building in an area where no members of the public were present.”

There were 71 detections of particulate matter (PM2.5), but the report states that most of those levels were safe. The report says higher levels were recorded around the building during flare-ups.

Here’s a map of where the testing was performed:

Malik’s office also noted fire suppression material used to combat the blaze ran off into a nearby creek, which runs about 3 miles southwest into Long Lake. The lake is not a drinking source, Malik noted.

It is, however, a fishing destination in Portage Lakes .

Mayor Malik said officials will continue taking daily water samples. The city expects preliminary lab results to be available next week.

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