Emergency workers are taking a tally of all the hazardous waste materials moving through the Valley, on Interstate 70. They started at 8 a.m. Thursday and will continue until 8 a.m. Friday.

Crews said they discovered 50 or so trucks hauling hazardous material through the county in just a couple of hours. Crews are watching the trucks from just off the interstate, near the Ohio Valley Mall.

Interim Emergency Management Agency Director Dave Ivan said the main point of this study is to be “in the know.” Ivan said it’s important for his crew, local firefighters and police to be aware of exactly what’s moving through Belmont County.

Ivan said roadway accidents or other occurrences could cause a spill of hazardous waste. He said they need to know what potential spills they could have to deal with in the future.

To identify the hazardous waste coming through, Ivan said crews are looking at the placards on the back of semitrailers.

After the study wraps up Friday, officials plan to pass the hazardous waste information they gather on to local firefighters and police.

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