Oct 1 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Cornelia de Bruin The Daily Times, Farmington, N.M.

New Mexico Environment Department confirmed Tuesday that one of its Occupational Health and Safety Bureau teams visited PNM's San Juan Generating Station in Waterflow.

A small amount of fly ash dissipated into the air from Unit 1 of the electricity generating plan during a cleaning and maintenance process.

The by-product of coal burned to create electricity, fly ash contains silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide and iron oxide particles, along with aluminum, arsenic, boron, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and sulfate.

"The New Mexico Environment Department's Occupational Health and Safety Bureau is investigating conditions at PNM's San Juan Generating Station because of the recent report of a fly ash cloud in the area," said department spokeswoman Marissa Stone. "The bureau, which works to protect employees and

promote safety on the job, will

determine whether workers at the company are protected."

Callers informed The Daily Times of the Sept. 23 incident, which happened about

mid-morning as six people removed insulation from outside of the off-line boiler.

PNM spokeswoman Susan Sponar explained that the fly ash accumulated between the boiler's tubes and dislodged when workers removed the insulation.

"OSHA was out at our plant monitoring a job a contractor is doing," Sponar said. "We're cooperating

fully with the investigation."

The investigation is in its initial stages, and will include an assessment of air quality conditions. Initial timeline estimates are that a final report will be sent to New Mexico Environment Department in about one week.

Cornelia de Bruin:

cdebruin@daily-times.com

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