In Birmingham, Ala., toxic gas at a water treatment plant has sent 55 workers to the hospital
On the morning of Feb. 27, toxic gas at a water treatment plant in Alabama sent dozens of people to the hospital.
According to Fox News, a chemical spill caused sodium hypochlorite to mix with ferric sulfate at a Birmingham Water Works treatment plant near Highway 280. Both chemicals are used to treat water separately. However, when combined, they create a toxic gas.
Fourteen workers complained of respiratory issues after the spill and were taken to the hospital, according to Fox News. Another 40 were taken to the hospital as a precaution.
Multiple people have been transported to local hospitals. Still unsure what caused the spill. https://t.co/AYI0vBjqZa
— Stephen Quinn (@StephenQ3340) February 27, 2019
Rick Jackson, spokesman for Birmingham Water Works (BWW), said BWW has not determined why or how the chemicals got mixed.
“The safety of the public and our employees is our top priority. Our employees and first responders are trained to act swiftly and decisively in the event of any accident, and they have responded precisely per our emergency plan to contain the accident,” Jackson said in a statement, according to AL.com.
According to Fox News, Mountain Brook Police warned about the effects of chlorine gas exposure on Twitter.
Some of the effects people can experience from being exposed to chlorine gas are sneezing, nose irritation, burning sensation and throat irritation, nausea, vomiting or a headache. People may also experience skin irritation or chemical burns and eye irritation.
— Mountain Brook PD (@mountainbrookpd) February 27, 2019
