At least 29 workers were sent to the hospital after an anhydrous ammonia leak at a Tennessee cheese factory. The incident occurred during maintenance on a valve at La Quesera Mexicana, according to Greeneville City Manager Todd Smith.
The first call regarding the leak was at 7:15 a.m., with six people being hospitalized at the time. The leak, however, was quickly contained and the scene was declared safe. But a second leak was reported at 10:01 a.m., and another 23 people were hospitalized. Additionally, 53 other employees were evaluated for possible symptoms of illness.
Anhydrous ammonia can cause irritations and burns to the eyes and skin, as well as damage the lungs. It is believed to have caused the hospitalizations. It is not yet known if the two leaks were from the same source. The second leak was promptly fixed, and there was no risk to the surrounding area.
Ballad Health, a local health system, established incident command centers at Greeneville Community Hospital and Johnson City Medical Center to accommodate the influx of patients from the incident. As of noon, 25 patients remained under the health system’s care.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of industrial facilities that use hazardous materials. Anhydrous ammonia is commonly used as a refrigerant in the food industry and can pose significant risks if handled improperly. In the past, ammonia leaks have resulted in fatalities.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been notified of the incident at La Quesera Mexicana and will conduct an investigation. The company itself has not yet released a statement regarding the incident.
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