Toxic Fires Spark Safety Concerns and School Closures in Richmond and Indiana

A plastics recycling warehouse in Richmond, Indiana, that caught fire and forced the evacuation of over 2,000 residents had previously been cited as unsafe due to missing fire suppression systems and blocked fire lanes. The cause of the fire is unknown, but the warehouse contained a large amount of recycled plastic. Plastics burning can form dioxin, a highly toxic pollutant that can cause cancer. The EPA and Indiana Department of Environmental Management are monitoring air quality, and residents are advised to avoid spending time outside and wipe down surfaces if smoke particles accumulate in their homes.