USI grad part of environmental response team in Warrick County chemical fire

As the Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) wraps up its work this week following the Warrick County chemical fire, we are highlighting the work of USI environmental science graduate Sydra Parker ’21 who was on the ground with the EPA response team.  As an Environmental Scientist with Tetra Tech (a global consulting firm contracted by the EPA for emergency response), Parker collected samples of ash and water to assess environmental conditions, monitor public health risks and guide hazard response.

The large fire at PBTT Corp on September 6 and 7 burned magnesium, aluminum and other metals, along with other, unidentified, materials, prompting the EPA to call on Tetra Tech to assess the area. During and following such events, there are many civil servants on the ground, behind the scenes, working hard to protect environmental quality and public health. 

As part of the emergency response, Parker sampled ash deposited on the landscape from the fire directly, and surface water bodies potentially contaminated by runoff during fire suppression actions.

While at USI, Parker worked as a Research Assistant with Dr. Paul K. Doss, Professor Emeritus of Geology, documenting and quantifying the presence of microplastic contamination in Reflection Lake on the USI Campus.

In 2023, Parker was deployed as an emergency responder during the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment.

Her journey from studying microplastics in Reflection Lake to protecting communities during environmental emergencies shows the vital role USI graduates are playing in safeguarding our communities.