E.P.A. Personnel Deployed to Greensburg, Kansas, for Tornado Response

(Kansas City, Kan., May 7, 2007) - On-scene coordinators (OSCs) from the E.P.A. are in Greensburg, Kan., to respond to potential hazardous materials from tornado damage.

E.P.A. also deployed the mobile command post from its Region seven office in Kansas City, Kan. The command post enables the OSCs to establish communications via satellite link, and use on-board monitoring equipment to respond to hazardous materials.

E.P.A. Region seven Administrator John B. Askew said, "EPA regional personnel will remain accessible as long as necessary to respond to this disaster."

E.P.A. has been on scene since May five assessing fuel releases, chlorine cylinders, anhydrous ammonia tanks, propane tanks, and other hazardous materials issues. E.P.A. is also involved in reviewing polychlorinated biphenyl contamination related to damaged transformers. OSCs have assessed chlorine tanks at the city well house and helped stabilize a chlorine tank at the well house that was damaged by the tornado.

E.P.A. and local officials responded to a release from a large anhydrous ammonia-filled storage tank that had been damaged by the tornado. The release forced everyone within about 5 blocks of the tank to be evacuated for a short time.

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