Emergency response staff and contractors from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are working to secure hazardous chemicals stored at the dormant Cosmo Specialty Fibers facility in Cosmopolis, Washington.

For several months, the EPA and the Washington Department of Ecology have been collaborating with the facility’s owner to ensure that large quantities of hazardous chemicals on site pose no threat to nearby residents or the environment in and around Cosmopolis and Aberdeen.

In April, the EPA ordered the company to maintain power and water services, operable fire suppression systems, 24-hour security, and adequate staff to manage stormwater and prevent, detect, and respond to spills or releases of contaminants at or from the site.

When power was recently shut off, facility staff notified the EPA. The agency has begun assessing and securing hazardous chemicals stored throughout the site. The EPA is working with the facility owner to develop a plan to either safely store or dispose of the chemicals if they are deemed a risk to the community or environment.

Known chemical releases at the facility have been contained on-site. As work continues over the next several weeks, the EPA will continue monitoring for chemical releases and coordinate with local emergency responders as needed to ensure public safety.