Apex gets assurances, awaits definitive answers

The fire has been out for two weeks. Still, questions about the environmental aftereffects of the Oct. 5 hazardous-waste depot explosion linger like a haze in Apex. The uncertainty has been too much for Apex Gymnastics owner Jean Sciacca, who runs her business out of a building next to the burned-out warehouse. Despite reassurances from state regulators and warehouse owner EQ Industrial Services, she won't reopen until the cleanup is complete.

"It's not stable," she says.

State regulators hope to start providing definite answers about Apex's environment in the next few weeks, once they complete a new round of tests.

Until then, "people should do what they're comfortable doing," said Gibbie Harris, the Wake County community health director.

"That's the best we can do," she says, "until more results come back."

Meanwhile, here's what is known, what isn't and what environmental regulators hope to learn:

IS THE AIR SAFE TO BREATHE?

Yes, according to the state Division of Air Quality. Air samples taken in the days after the fire did produce some pollutants, including benzene, a gasoline additive, and carbon disulfide, a chemical found in volcanic eruptions that can cause respiratory trouble. Nothing was found in high enough concentrations to be considered a health hazard.

COULD ANY OF THE REMAINING CHEMICALS START ANOTHER FIRE?

Yes. A drum of sodium metal flared up Wednesday, forcing a 36-hour halt to the cleanup. EQ says another fire is unlikely and has workers looking for flammable "containers of concern."

COULD HAZARDOUS PARTICLES HAVE FALLEN ANYWHERE IN APEX?

Yes. Though state regulators and EQ say it is unlikely, particles remain in worrisome concentrations after the rains of the past two weeks.

WHERE MIGHT THESE CHEMICAL REMNANTS BE?

In the neighborhoods around the burned-out warehouse. The state began collecting soil and surface samples from about 30 homes and businesses near the warehouse to see whether any toxic material remains. For more information about the testing program, go to www.enr.state.nc.us/html/apex.html.

WHEN WILL THE RESULTS BE IN?

In the next couple of weeks.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO UNTIL THEN?

Continue to keep surfaces clean, make sure to wash fresh food thoroughly and replace any home air filters installed before Oct. 5. Wake County health officials do not recommend hiring expensive duct-cleaning services or barring children from playing outside.

Those with questions can call Wake County environmental and health officials at 250-4516.