Cyanide Found In Creek Near SPS Technologies Fire

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA —Cyanide has been detected in the creek near where the massive SPS Technologies fire took place last week, state officials said.

The state Department of Environmental Protection —which has been testing and monitoring air and water quality since the Highland Avenue building fire in Jenkintown last Monday night —analyzed water samples from Tookany Creek for Total Cyanide and Weak Acid Dissociable Cyanide.

The DEP said it tested the compounds to determine whether there was an immediate risk to surface water.

Sample locations were chosen to have a comparison between unaffected surface water and monitor water entering the Delaware River. Levels below 0.01 mg/l cannot be detected.

The DEP stressed that drinking water supplies are not at risk.

"There are no drinking water intakes from Tookany Creek downstream of the fire," the DEP said. "The nearest drinking water intake is several miles upstream of the confluence of Tookany Creek and the Delaware River."

The DEP and the Philadelphia Water Department conducted an initial sampling of Tookany Creek with preliminary samples collected by the DEP indicating low levels of chemicals of concern found in the creek immediately downstream of the fire.

The DEP re-sampled the creek on Feb. 19. Samples showed a "sharp dropoff" in any contaminants of concern, the DEP said.

Testing will be ongoing for as long as needed with the DEP providing updates as testing occurs. The DEP and Philadelphia Water Department will continue to monitor the creek and the Delaware River.