TODD COUNTY, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A mysterious white substance was found along the roadside in Todd County this week, and while it may look like snow in the pictures, it is anything but that.
According to Clarksville Now news partner WKRN, Todd County authorities said that a Clarksville-based waste hauler is to blame.
On Tuesday, the Todd County Sheriff’s Office released photos of the substance dumped along Jim Green Road and asked for the public’s help in identifying it.
The sheriff told WKRN that the substance appeared to be vinyl and was “intentionally dumped.” Not long after, Todd County Emergency Management (EMA) said that they might have discovered the company responsible for the mess.
EMA said that a waste hauler from Clarksville lost a load of scrap label material and did not notify any local agencies about the incident. The scrap label material was later identified as scrap cuttings from the production of polyester film labels, Todd County EMA said. The material has been verified as non-hazardous.
Thanks to numerous tips, authorities tracked down the company and spoke with representatives about plans to clean up the scene. Todd County EMA told WKRN the company’s representatives agreed to begin cleaning up the substance after finding appropriate equipment and contractors.
Fast forward to 3 p.m. Tuesday, and authorities received word that the material had been set ablaze. EMA found several small fires burning with no one near the scene, according to WKRN.
Todd County EMA officials told WKRN that this particular material melts before it burns and that there is now contamination in the soil and damage to the roadway. Additionally, burning the material allegedly creates poisonous gases, which, according to Todd County EMA, is a violation of several state and federal clean air regulations.
On Wednesday, March 15, EMA officials told News 2 that a contractor was hired to clean up the material. It currently covers about three acres of farmland.
Authorities did not identify the name of the company.