Thursday, October 1, 2026, Update
Air monitoring data tables are available in the documents tab.
Sunday,
September 27, 2026, Update
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy,
or EGLE, will now oversee the remainder of the cleanup and any response
actions.
Air
EPA continued monitoring air quality around the site and
in the downwind neighborhood until Saturday evening. Since Saturday’s results showed no elevated levels
for particulate matter or volatile organic compounds,
EPA consulted with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
and determined no further monitoring was necessary. EPA
will leave the site at noon today. Air monitoring results will be posted to the
website.
Water
On Friday and Saturday morning, firefighting efforts at the site
used water to suppress the fire. The fire department covered manholes
surrounding the site and contained as much runoff water as possible. EPA has
collected a sample and will send the result to the EGLE to help the state
determine how to manage the remaining water. East Jordan Plastics will pump the
water and store in large tanks until the state makes a determination. The company also
placed a floating barrier, or boom, in the nearby creek to collect any
potential debris, primarily plastic pellets, coming from the site.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 1 p.m. Update
On Friday, September 25, the
South Haven, Michigan, Fire Department requested EPA assistance with air
monitoring and sampling related to the fire at East Jordan Plastics. EPA
established a network of roving and stationary monitors and began
receiving readings around 2 a.m.
Initial monitoring detected
elevated levels of particulate matter, or PM2.5, in the surrounding
neighborhood—a pollutant commonly associated with fires. EPA also recorded one
exceedance of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, overnight onsite; however, the exceedance
was not sustained.
As of 1 p.m. Saturday, September 26, the fire was out. EPA continues to coordinate with local
and state officials and provide air-monitoring results to support health
determinations. All EPA updates will be posted to this website.
