More than a week after the explosion in a hazardous waste incineration plant in Leverkusen, the State Environment Agency of North Rhine-Westphalia gave the all-clear after an examination of soils and plants.
“The analyzes did not reveal any relevant concentrations and no limit values were exceeded,” the office announced on Thursday in Recklinghausen.
The competent authorities could largely repeal the current health precautionary measures, according to the report to the district government.
At least six people were killed and numerous injured in the accident on July 27.
One person is still missing.
The first measurements after the accident in the surrounding residential areas had already shown low levels of pollution.
According to the State Environment Agency, the measurements did not reveal any noticeable levels of dioxins, PCBs and furans.
"Fruit and vegetables are released for consumption again, but should be washed or peeled before consumption," recommended the State Environment Agency.
As a precaution, water from rain barrels should be disposed of in the sewer system.
Swimming pool water should be replaced or completely filtered.
After all the cleaning measures, playgrounds could also be released again.
A use of forage areas, for example by grazing animals, is possible again.
The experts from the State Environment Agency examined plant and soil samples from the vicinity of the fire site for over 450 different constituents of agrochemicals.
The cause of the explosion remains unexplained
The police investigators continue to investigate the accident.
“The explosion site in the narrower sense is still not accessible,” said a spokeswoman for the Cologne public prosecutor's office, referring to the dangers that are difficult to assess.
But there is a salvage concept.
In addition, a team of experts with specialists for fires and explosions was deployed.
The cause of the explosion and the fire with the huge cloud of smoke is not yet known.
The public prosecutor's office is investigating unknown persons on suspicion of negligent homicide and negligent causing of an explosion.
She wants to find out whether human errors led to the catastrophe.
The clean-up work continues, according to the Chempark operator Currenta.
There are still massive pieces of debris, some of which are wedged together, said a spokesman.
The emergency services would also pump out possible chemical residues, among other things.
The emergency services would be monitored by a doctor.
This is done with the help of small devices on clothing.
In addition, investigations would take place, which included urine samples.
The results in the test program for the health protection of the emergency services have so far been inconspicuous.