Happy Tuesday, everyone!
I wanted to share some of the SPS updates that came into my office over the weekend. As we move into this second week, the site response is shifting from a fire incident to a test, remediate and clean-up effort. My communications will become far less frequent. I encourage you to keep an eye on the SPS site hosted by the state and on the Jenkintown, Cheltenham, or Abington township websites.
Finally, before I get to the updates, I want to recognize that there were approximately 500 people that were employed at SPS that are now looking for work and opportunities to provide for their families. If you’re one of them, we’re here for you. Please reach out to my office, and we’ll do everything we can to assist you.
On to the formal update. My staff and I have heard your concerns regarding the environmental impacts of the SPS fire. After reaching out to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the state agency that is helping oversee the ongoing air and water testing, I wanted to share some updates with the community on what is being done.
The fire at SPS Technologies, located at 301 Highland Ave., was extinguished over the weekend. Please remember there is absolutely no trespassing on the site. Sections of the SPS Technologies building are structurally compromised, and it is an active investigation scene.
DEP sampled four surface water locations on Feb. 18 and 19:
- A sample from Baeder Creek upstream of SPS. This represents the sample location representing background water quality.
- A sample from the confluence of Baeder Creek and the main branch of the Tookany Creek at the railroad bridge, downstream of SPS.
- A sample from the Tookany Creek at the Greenwood Ave Bridge near the Jenkintown-Wyncote SEPTA Station, downstream of SPS.
- A sample from the Delaware Ave (Hedley St) Bridge in Frankford Creek near the confluence of the Delaware River, the furthest downgradient surface water sampling location.
According to DEP, all samples collected on Feb. 19 meet all human health and water quality criteria. DEP has determined that there is no risk to drinking water. Plans are being developed for conducting surface water sampling long term. The full testing results have been posted on DEP’s community page for the SPS fire on the department’s SPS Technologies page.
Air quality monitors have not detected any chemicals of concern in air outside of the facility. Air monitoring will continue at the facility and in the community through the cleanup process to ensure the safety of both the workers and community.
Air quality is being monitored by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and SPS. The EPA is monitoring air quality at two downgradient monitoring locations in Jenkintown. The data is currently being reviewed and quality checked by EPA and will be posted on DEP’s community page when it is finalized. Data has been monitored in real time to evaluate public health impacts, and no actionable levels were observed. SPS is conducting onsite and perimeter air monitoring that will continue for the foreseeable future. There are currently seven monitors in place, and additional monitoring locations are in the process of being added.
If residents have concerns about dust or small pieces of fire debris, they should contact SPS via its hotline at 215-572-3326 or via email at contactSPS@ppcairframe.comcreate new email. SPS also has its own website with news and updates. If there are large pieces of debris present, residents should leave the debris in place and contact 9-1-1, as large pieces of debris may be needed for the fire investigation. SPS and Jenkintown Borough are coordinating debris removal and cleanup in the community.