Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA-2011-0128-3166, September 2012, Revised February 2013. Evaluation of Health Effects of a Chlorine Gas Release in a Poultry Processing Plant - Arkansas.

摘要

NIOSH received a request from OSHA to evaluate employee health effects after a chlorine gas release in a poultry processing plant in Arkansas. The plant prepared poultry for consumption from slaughtering through processing, seasoning, and packaging. A sodium hypochlorite solution was often used for disinfection. On the morning of June 27, 2011, an employee inadvertently mixed an acidic solution of Fresh FX, an antimicrobial, with a hypochlorite solution, releasing chlorine gas into the plant. About 600 employees were at work and were evacuated. Of those who participated in our evaluation, 195 reported seeking medical care, 152 reported being hospitalized, and the company reported that 5 were admitted to intensive care units immediately after the incident.