More than 30 people were sickened by a chemical leak at a medical company in Atlantic County. Two of those workers were rushed by medical helicopter from the company in Hammonton to a hospital. NBC10’s Cydney Long reports.
A refrigerant leak left employees at a South Jersey home therapy business not feeling well – some complaining of a burning feeling in their chests – Wednesday afternoon.
Workers at Home Solutions Infusion Therapy along Grand Street S in Hammonton, New Jersey reported a distinct odor in the building around 11:40 a.m., said Hammonton Police Chief Robert Jones.
"They were feeling nausea and some of them had a respiratory irritation – some of them said the they had a burning sensation in their throat or lungs," said Hammonton police Lt. Kevin Friel.
As SkyForce10 hovered overhead, people could be seen gathered outside the building as medics loaded people on stretchers into multiple waiting ambulances. At least 32 people felt ill, 8 required hospitalization and two required a medevac to AtlantiCare in Atlantic City, said police.
Police and county emergency management sent employees – about 80 were evacuated – home for the day as they tested to find the source of the HCFC-22 aka R-22 – a Freon-like refrigerant used in air conditioning – leak. Hazmat crews, however, believed they had narrowed down the source, said Jones.
The company said it doesn't store chemicals on site.
