HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Ottawa County’s emergency management director, Lou Hunt, alerted the media to an incident at Vertellus Chemical, 215 N. Centennial St., Zeeland.
Hunt said the powder was identified as plastic, adding that “out of an abundance of caution, individuals within the impacted area have been notified and have been asked to shelter in place. Ottawa County will provide further updates as progress of the clean-up crew continues.”
No school buildings were affected, but he said some bus routes may need to be suspended the afternoon. Ottawa County officials are working closely with Zeeland Public Schools to identify affected bus routes. School officials will contact parents and other caregivers who need to pick up their children.
Hunt expressed thanks to “everyone for their patience as we continue to work with public safety agencies.”
In his first message about the incident, Hunt indicated some dry powder was released into the air at 9 .m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021.
“No immediate danger to the public is identified at this time,” Hunt wrote, “but out of an abundance of caution, the area has been shut down to through traffic, and residents and businesses within the affected area have been asked to shelter in place. The affected area at this time (air monitoring is continuing) is between Washington and Roosevelt, and Centennial and State, just west and north of Vertellus Chemical in the city Zeeland. ”
Zeeland firefighters; Ottawa County Hazmat team members; and other public safety agencies are on site.
Hunt noted Zeeland Schools’ officials were notified and trips by busses in the area would be suspended while clean-up is underway.
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