The employees reportedly had nausea, vomiting and headaches
More than 50 employees at a medical packaging company’s Pennsylvania facility were hospitalized after a chemical odor was reported.
Lt. Peter Nickischer of the Upper Macungie Township Police Department said in a news release that 54 Sharp Packaging Solutions employees were transported to local hospitals for evaluation after reports of a “chemical odor” on Friday.
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Nickischer said the city’s fire department, EMS and police were dispatched to 7451 Keebler Way in Allentown, Penn., around 12:02 p.m. local time.
When the first crews arrived, they noticed several employees suffering from “nausea, vomiting and headaches.”
“Lehigh County fire personnel and special units conducted an investigation and no abnormal readings were noted. At the moment, the cause of the unpleasant smell has not been determined,” the statement added.
154 employees are employed in the building.
chemical spill — picture.
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A spokesperson told local NBC affiliate 10 Philadelphia that more than 20 employees were sent to Lehigh Valley Hospital — Cedar Crest, while another 10 were sent to Lehigh Valley Hospital — Muhlenberg.
While not all Sharp Packaging Solutions employees present Friday reported feeling unwell, many were screened out of an abundance of caution.
There were no reports of serious injuries, and other minor symptoms observed included a sore throat.
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At the Allentown campus of St. Another 22 employees were treated at the port, the hospital told local news station WFMZ. They are in a stable condition and will be discharged, the hospital said.
Sharp Packaging Solutions also issued a statement to WFMZ.
“We are deeply grateful for the quick and thorough response of local emergency responders and are currently working closely with local officials to investigate the source of the foul odor in Building 01 of our Allentown campus,” the statement said.
“The manufacturing facility in the building has been shut down and evacuated, and we know that staff who experienced symptoms are recovering at area hospitals or at home,” the statement continued. local officials to investigate and resolve the source of the unpleasant odor. A special operations team from the Lehigh County Emergency Management Agency conducted an extensive hazardous materials assessment of the impact area and found no evidence of hazardous chemicals or odors. We will stay in touch with local officials and update our staff when we have more to share.”
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Source: HIS Education