A Carus Chemical spokesman says potassium permanganate is an oxidizer used for purifying water and can be washed away with water. Allen Gibbs says the compound that fell on areas north and northwest of the company’s LaSalle location during a fire this morning can stain the skin. He says the stain can be removed with a mix of equal parts vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
Gibbs announced at a news conference at LaSalle City Hall this afternoon, residents with concerns about it can call a hotline number. The latest number provided is 815-224-6662. He says the company wants to find out where the chemical is and answer people’s questions.
Some of those questions came up during the news conference. A resident asked if Gibbs would feel comfortable letting his pets come in contact with the compounds. Gibbs said yes. Jamie Hicks, who lives on Porter St. near Carus, believes it’s more dangerous than anyone’s letting on. He’s keeping his dogs inside.
Jamie Hicks lives near Carus Chemical and says the potassium permanganate dust that came down during the fire is all over his property.
An online chemical safety page for potassium permanganate from the National Institutes of Health says the compound is harmful if swallowed, could be harmful to an unborn child, and is very toxic to aquatic life.
Robert Kondreck from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says contractors are sampling the air around Carus Chemical. Ashen dust blowing around and lingering smoke could contain irritants other than the potassium permanganate. He says no fire fighting foam got into the Vermilion River east of Carus and everything used against the fire appears to be contained at the fire scene.
Carus Chemical spokesman Allen Gibbs
Mayor Jeff Grove says he’s satisfied that the situation isn’t terribly dangerous. He says thank God nobody was killed or seriously hurt. Fire Chief Jerry Janick says one fire fighter went to a hospital and was treated for a minor injury.
Janick believes the explosions people heard were an effect of the fire and not a cause. The cause isn’t known yet.
Earlier versions of this story had different hotline numbers. LaSalle Deputy City Clerk Brent Bader says the previously given numbers didn’t work and Carus provided a new number. Also, the shelter in place order has been lifted.