Rusko industrial fire's environmental and health impacts are being actively monitored
Air quality measurements in Rusko and its surrounding area, which started on Wednesday 6.11.2024, have been extended until Saturday 9.11.2024. As the smoke caused by the fire has decreased, the particulate matter concentrations measured with equipment from the University of Tampere in the Rusko area have also decreased to almost normal levels based on Saturday's measurements.
However, on Saturday morning, a strong smell was detected in a hollow along the Rusko road at Houkanoja. With changes in wind direction, the pungent smell of waste can spread over a wider area. Air quality measurements are still being carried out and will be continued if the smoke starts to build up again.
The authorities have agreed with Remeo Oy that investigations will be carried out to determine the levels of pollutants in the fallout from the fire. Samples will be taken by an external expert early in the week, when there will be no further deposition. The results of the tests will be communicated as soon as they are available.
The surface of the water in the Houkanoja has been found to contain extinguishing foam. The authorities have been in contact with the Rescue Department and Remeo Oy about this and Remeo Oy has taken three chemical booms to the Houkanoja to collect the foam from the water surface. The foam will be collected for treatment.
The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) for Pirkanmaa supervises the environmental permit of the Remeo waste treatment plant in Rusko, Tampere. Due to an ongoing fire in the plant, the ELY Centre has taken measures to mitigate environmental impact.
Water samples have been ordered from the Houkanoja brook, which flows into the Vihioja brook, for possible residue from the extinguishing water or the hazardous substances caused by the fire. In addition to this, the ELY Centre’s Nature Conservation Unit has assessed sensitive nature sites in the area, according to which there are no acute impacts on the local sensitive nature sites.
The plant was inspected on Thursday, 7 November 2024. During the inspection, immediate measures to be taken by the authorities and Remeo staff were agreed on. This aims to reduce the emissions caused by the fire.
Weather conditions are being monitored
The City of Tampere, the ELY Centre for Pirkanmaa and the Pirkanmaa Rescue Department are actively monitoring the weather conditions in the area around the fire at Rusko waste treatment plant. Researchers from the Aerosol Physics Laboratory at the University of Tampere are helping authorities to investigate the air quality impact caused by the fire with mobile measuring equipment. On Wednesday 6 November 2024, air quality measurements began in the Rusko district and its neighbouring areas to determine the concentrations of soot and small particles, among other things.
Smoke is currently spreading in a narrow area following the direction of the wind. Based on preliminary results, the mass concentrations of soot and particulate matter in the smoke area have risen to several dozen times the normal level, at their worst.
People should avoid spending time in the areas where there is observable smoke. If you smell smoke even indoors, it is a good idea to temporarily close the ventilation system in your home. The final results of the measurements will be announced later once a summary has been completed.
After the acute situation, the need for other possible environmental samples will be assessed to determine the pollution caused by the fire. As a follow-up measure after extinguishing the fire, the necessary cleaning measures in the habitat will also be assessed.
The environmental and health protection authorities of the City of Tampere will monitor the fire situation at Rusko waste treatment plant and the resulting impacts on the environment and people's health. In this situation, the health protection authorities are responsible for assessing the health hazards caused by the situation, and the environmental protection authorities participate in monitoring the state of the environment.
The plant operations have been discussed tentatively
The ELY Centre for Pirkanmaa will issue a decision regarding Remeo in an exceptional situation, which will define on the measurements and actions to be taken at the plant.
“The waste treatment activities cannot continue in their current extent,” says Emmi Pajunen, senior adviser at the ELY Centre for Pirkanmaa and the head supervisor for the plant's operations.
On 31 October 2024, the ELY Centre for Pirkanmaa sent an order to the plant to bring the operations into compliance with the environmental permit.
“In the order, we pointed out that no new waste may be received and the existing storage piles must be made compliant, and that the plant must report on the situation on a weekly basis. We also noticed that waste intended for indoor storage was being stored outdoors and that waste piles were too close together," says Pajunen.
The operator is obliged to act in accordance with their permit. Earlier in September, the ELY Centre for Pirkanmaa submitted a request for information on the waste storage volumes of the plant. At that time, the plant announced that the waste piles were in compliance with the permit.
Emergency warning cleared 9.11.2024
The ELY Centre for Pirkanmaa and the health and environmental protection services of the City of Tampere are monitoring the development of the fire and its impacts together with other authorities in the region. A cooperation group for the authorities has been established for the situation. The overall situational picture of the accident is being assessed and updated by Pirkanmaa Rescue Department. The emergency warning for the area was cleared on 9th November 2024.
News was edited on 9.11.2024 with information on air quality and ending of emergency warning.
