The EPA has issued an expanded air quality alert due to a trash fire in Orrington that could burn for days.

A Trash Fire in Orrington is Causing Air Quality Alerts

A fire at the Eagle Point Energy Center in Orrington is at the center of the air quality concerns. EPEC is at the site of the old Penobscot Energy Recycling CO, or PERC plant on River Road, also known as Route 15. Fire officials say a 40-foot-high pile of decomposing trash is on fire inside a 200 X 400 building. While the fire is contained, the building is unstable and firefighters can't get in to extinguish it, so it will likely be burning for at least another day.

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The EPA Says Areas of Eastern Interior and Mid-Coast Regions are On Alert

In a release on Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced an Air Quality Alert due to ground-level particle pollution concentrations expected to reach the 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' (USG) level in the Eastern Interior and Mid-Coast Regions for today and tomorrow. Officials say that, while valley locations will be especially susceptible to higher levels of particle pollution, all areas in the vicinity should take precautions.

Air Quality Alerts Affect Everyone, With Some More at Risk Than Others

Most at risk of complications are children, the elderly, and individuals suffering from respiratory or heart diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, or COPD. They could experience reduced lung function and irritation, so they should avoid being outdoors or allowing outside air into their homes. In addition, healthy adults who exert themselves outdoors may also notice these health effects.

Symptoms can include:

  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Throat irritation
  • Mild chest pain

Some ways to avoid these effects include:

  • Avoiding strenuous outdoor activity
  • Closing windows and circulating indoor air with a fan or air conditioner
  • Asthmatics should keep their quick-relief medications and action plans handy

We'll update this story as the Orrington situation progresses.

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