JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Cleanup continues in a Northside neighborhood after a fertilizer powder from a nearby plant covered cars in the neighborhood.
The substance, called humic powder, came from a company called 'Humic Growth Solutions,' which is now trying to help residents.
Friday evening, the president of Humic Growth Solutions, Mike Steffeck, immediately realized the substance that was talked about around the neighborhood was humic powder from this plant.
According to Steffeck, this powder is a non-toxic product that cannot cause health concerns. It can be sold to farmers and they put it in their soil for crops. A malfunction caused the powder to escape from the plant on Thursday night and into the nearby San Mateo neighborhood.
"I came down as quick as I could and helped the fire department and said yeah this is what it is," said Steffeck. "It’s not toxic, it’s healthy for the environment."
Now, Steffeck wants to help these neighbors impacted.
Right outside the business, affected residents can drive their car up and receive a free car wash, an explanation of what happened and a simple apology.
"We’ll wash them up for you we apologize for the inconvenience," Steffeck said. "We apologize for the trouble but we will be happy to make it right with you."
Monday morning, Jason Edmond's car was still covered in the powder so he brought it to the business for a car wash.
"I carried it up and let them wash it this afternoon," said Edmonds. "They were really receptive when we went over there. I’m sure they’ll make everything right with everybody in the neighborhood."
Marybeth Cunningham's car was also covered in a brown substance.
"It had streaks all down it and some spots but mostly streaks," she said.
Cunningham just found out about the free car wash and is considering taking her car on Tuesday.
"That’s a good thing they’re doing something," she said.
Humic Growth Solutions on 709 Eastport Rd. tells First Coast News they plan on washing affected cars all this week.
According to the president, they will remain closed until they can solve the issue and prevent this from happening again.
