In addition to air and water monitoring, SPS has tested soot and dust that was visible on certain outdoor surfaces in the community, as well as representative samples of debris for asbestos. Information about the results of these activities and planned future sampling is described on this page.

DEBRIS

What is the status of debris collection in the neighborhoods?

As the community is aware, SPS’s contractors have been collecting fire-related debris from yards in the neighborhoods.  As this effort concludes, the next phase of debris removal will focus on rooftops of affected properties. 

Has SPS tested the debris?

The debris identified in the community appears to consist primarily of roofing material.  This same material was also identified throughout the exterior of the SPS facility. 

On February 20th and February 23rd, representative samples of the debris were collected for testing to determine whether the material contained asbestos, which was commonly used in building materials until the 1970s.  The testing showed that the tested debris did not contain asbestos-containing material. 

Where can I find SPS’s debris sampling results?

You can find the results of our debris sampling here.

How can I understand the information contained in this report?

The following definitions are helpful to interpret the information contained in the debris sampling report:

  • PLM stands for Polarized Light Microscopy
  • TEM stands for Transmission Electron Microscopy
  • Asbestos-containing material is defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as any material containing more than 1% asbestos.  40 C.F.R. § 61.141.

Who has evaluated SPS’s debris sampling results?

TRC Environmental Corporation has evaluated the debris sampling results and has concluded that based on the available data, which demonstrates compliance with both EPA and OSHA thresholds, there is no reason to expect that exposure to asbestos as a result of the fire poses a health hazard to the community. TRC’s evaluation can be found here. 

SOOT AND DUST

What other testing has SPS done?

On February 27, 2025, we took wipe samples of soot and dust in certain areas near the facility.  These samples were tested for the following parameters:

  • Aluminum, Total
  • Arsenic, Total
  • Barium, Total
  • Cadmium, Total
  • Chromium, Total
  • Cobalt, Total
  • Copper, Total
  • Lead, Total
  • Nickel, Total
  • Selenium, Total
  • Silver, Total
  • Cyanide
  • Acenaphthene
  • 2-Chloronaphthalene
  • Fluoranthene
  • Naphthalene
  • Benzo(a)anthracene
  • Benzo(a)pyrene
  • Benzo(b)fluoranthene
  • Benzo(k)fluoranthene
  • Chrysene
  • Acenaphthylene
  • Anthracene
  • Benzo(ghi)perylene
  • Fluorene
  • Phenanthrene
  • Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
  • Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene
  • Pyrene
  • 2-Methylnaphthalene
  • PAHs

Where can I find SPS’s soot and dust sampling results?

You can find the results of our soot and dust sampling here.

How can I understand the information contained in this report?

The following definitions are helpful to interpret the information contained in the report:

  • “J” qualifier - a qualifier that indicates that the concentration of the constituent is an approximate value greater than or equal to the laboratory’s Method Detection Limit but less than the laboratory’s Reporting Limit.  The Pennsylvania Code defines the Method Detection Limit as “the minimum concentration that can be measured and reported with 99% confidence that the value is above zero.”  25 Pa. Code § 16.102(3).
  • RL - Reporting Limit
  • µg/cm2 - micrograms per square centimeter

The wipe sampling report is organized into the following sections:

Sections 1.0 and 2.0 provide background on the wipe sampling that was performed by SPS, including the methods used to perform wipe sampling, the locations that wipe sampling was performed, and how screening levels were developed. 

Section 3.0 summarizes the wipe sampling results. 

Who has evaluated SPS’s wipe sample results?

We provided our wipe sample results to PADEP and USEPA for their review.

In addition, TRC Environmental Corporation has evaluated the wipe sample results and has concluded that based on the available data, there are no human health risks associated with community exposure to outdoor surfaces containing dust or soot associated with the fire.  TRC’s evaluation can be found here.