Carbon monoxide poisoning in Columbus

COLUMBUS -- A concerning health alert was issued in Columbus, Thursday. 

 

The mayor is now trying to get to the bottom of what could have been done differently, after the Columbus Fire Department responded to a fire at the ADM ethanol plant on July 14th.

 

Fire Chief Dan Miller worked with ADM to contain the smoldering coal fire for nearly three weeks. He has not been available for comment to NCN. 

 

During that time, four people reported symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Two tested positive. No one was hospitalized.

 

Tuesday, Mayor Jim Bulkley was notified about the fire. He inspected the site and called in officials. 

 

"I'm disappointed in the time lag. But of course, hindsight is 2020," said Bulkley.

 

He called the East-Central Health Department and Platte Area Emergency Management; both of which tell NCN they should have been told sooner. 

 

Almost immediately, the ECHD released a public alert Thursday. The encouraged residents to report weakness; dizziness; and headaches to medical personell; and to test their carbon monoxide alarms. 

 

Nearby residents said they weren't worried.

 

"I'm not really concerned. I used to work there and I know they have things under control," said Josh Kirby, who works at a chemical plant right next to ADM.

 

"I'm not concerned at all. I think it would take a lot in the air to affect anybody," said Don Pfeifer of Columbus. He heard about the alert on the news, but assumed it must not be serious. 

 

Others expressed how grateful they are to have carbon monoxide testers.

 

"This is the first I've heard about it but we're really good about making sure our carbon monoxide alarm is working," Rose Palas said. "Our neighbor's went off a few years ago after a gas leak and I've always remembered that. It can be scary."

 

 

Experts are on site at ADM monitoring the air. ADM wrote in a statement that they are not finding traces of carbon monoxide.

 

In the meantime, officials with the City of Columbus promise to be sure more people are in charge of making these types of decisions in the future. Bulkley said he is personally investigating to make a timeline and figure out what went wrong. 

 

 

"I trust that ADM is doing everything they can, with all hands on deck," Bulkley said of the company. 

 

Fire officials declined to comment to NCN on the matter.