Probe Launched Into Ammonia Outbreak That Sent 30 to Hospital in Tennessee
Greeneville, Tennessee: La Quesera Mexicana, a cheese factory on Hankins Street in Greeneville, experienced two distinct chemical leaks of anhydrous ammonia, according to Greeneville City Manager Todd Smith.
According to town officials, the chemical spill on Wednesday sent 29 workers to the hospital. Greeneville City Manager Todd Smith confirmed the leak.
Six workers were sent to a nearby hospital during the initial chemical leak, which was discovered at 7:15 a.m., Smith stated during a press conference. After evacuating the building, maintenance workers fixed what Smith claimed to be a pop-off valve.
The source of the leak is a loose valve that the workers have fixed after three leak incidents were reported.
Smith added that at about ten in the morning, there was word of a second leak at the factory, which led to the hospitalization of twenty-three more workers.
Smith claimed that following the second spill, HAZMAT teams searched the structure to make sure nobody remained within.
The staff members were transported to the Newport Medical Center, the Johnson City Medical Center, and the Greeneville Community Hospital.
In a press release, the Ballad Health care system said that it was treating 25 people overall as a result of the leak as of noon. Ballad said that all 25 were in stable condition. Following the mandatory six-hour observation period, the majority of patients were discharged.
According to Smith, the leaks have been stopped and there is no public concern. Additionally, Ballad Health declared that the individuals undergoing treatment posed no danger of contamination to other patients at Ballad establishments.
An investigator will ascertain whether the employee injuries fulfill the requirements to initiate a formal investigation, a Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) official revealed.
