Background

The plume from a chemical plant fire drifted over residential areas as it dissipated. Local residents were instructed to stay inside until the fire was extinguished. After the fire was extinguished, some residents submitted claims against the chemical company for alleged property damage.

Services Provided

Rimkus was retained to determine the path of the plume over time. We performed a dispersion analysis utilizing our own internal models and Environmental Protection Agency models. This time lapse analysis was used to create chemical concentration zones in parts per million (PPM) to assist in determining the outer boundaries where the chemical was no longer classified as harmful. From this analysis, we were able to opine on whether certain residences were outside the outer boundaries of the plume from which any unreasonable damage allegations could be detected.