At the plant of pomegranate juice in the United States from the leak of the chemical affected 58 people

At the plant of the American manufacturer of pomegranate juice POM Wonderful in California, a chemical leak occurred, as a result of which 58 people needed medical care, 11 of them were taken to hospitals, ABC30 reported, citing the Fresno County Fire Department.

The incident occurred on November 8 at the enterprise in the city of Del Rey. Firefighters indicated the time at about 16:15 local time (03:15 Moscow time on November 9), while the company’s report leak dated 14:30 (01:30 Moscow time on November 9). About 150 employees were evacuated from the two buildings. Workers in the leak zone complained of difficulty breathing and dizziness.

According to the company's report, about one gallon of BioSide cleaning solution containing 15% nadacetic acid leaked at the plant. The substance leaked through a small hole in the pipeline. POM Wonderful suggested that the damage was caused by wear and tear of equipment, but this was not confirmed.

The fire service suggested that employees were exposed to vapor solution. Chemicals did not get into sewers and reservoirs. Outside the enterprise, there was no threat to the population.

A representative of POM Wonderful said that the enterprise was temporarily stopped to ensure that the leak was eliminated and there was no threat to human health. He said some staff received medical attention for minor symptoms.

After checking the air, firefighters allowed staff to return to the buildings. The company said that the damaged pipeline was repaired, the site of the leak was cleaned. The work of the plant was resumed in the evening of the same day.

In May, CBS reported that more than 40,000 people were evacuated in the California city of Garden Grove because of the threat of an explosion in a tank containing a toxic chemical at an aerospace plant. The container contained about 7 thousand gallons of flammable methyl methacrylate. Authorities closed 15 schools.