No contamination revealed by tests in Salem Twp. gas line explosion

SALEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — No contamination was revealed by third-party environmental tests of soil, ground water and surface water in the wake of April’s gas line explosion in Salem Township, a spokesman for Spectra Energy confirmed.

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Spokesman Creighton Welch told Channel 11 News that Spectra Energy is still awaiting results from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection air quality monitoring tests that were conducted for 24 hours after the explosion.

The April 29 blast scorched 40 acres, seriously burning a man whose home was destroyed.

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The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has reported finding corrosion, indicating a “possible flaw” in materials used to coat welded joints of the 30-inch pipeline installed in 1981.

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"We continue to work collaboratively with PHMSA to confirm the integrity of the other lines in the vicinity. This work includes excavation at the incident site and a number of assessments to inspect the lines to verify they were not damaged by the incident," an update posted on Spectra Energy's website said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group