There's a new hotline for people who are concerned about exposure to toxic chemicals from a massive fire at the Winston Weaver fertilizer plant in Winston-Salem.
A consulting firm for Winston Weaver Co. set up the hotline to answer questions about health hazards resulting from the fire. The hotline will be staffed by toxicologists from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for as long as it has a steady volume of callers. The number is 866-412-7768.
The potential environmental impact has been one of the main concerns in the aftermath of the fire. At the height of the emergency, fire officials set up a one-mile evacuation zone around the plant. Last night, that area was reduced to 275 feet.
Forsyth County environmental officials are continuing to monitor the air quality in the area. But now that the fire has diminished, the city says smoke emissions are very low. Unless there are flare-ups, the fire's impact on air quality should be minimal at this point, according to a release from the county Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection.
Still, some environmental risks remain. On Sunday, city officials reiterated their warning to stay out of three waterways downstream from the plant due to potentially dangerous runoff. They are Monarcas, Mill and Muddy creeks.