Thursday, April 30, 2015

REFRIGERANT LEAK AT HOME SOLUTIONS INFUSION THERAPY OFFICE IN HAMMONTON, N.J. SICKENS AT LEAST 10






An employee reaches her hand to another on an ambulance cot at the scene of a hazardous material leak, Wednesday April 29, 2015, at a Home Solutions Infusion Therapy office in Hammonton, N.J. where 17 were injured. Hammonton Police Chief Robert Jones tells the Press of Atlantic City that two of the injured were airlifted to hospitals. (Michael Ein/The Press of Atlantic City via AP)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 

HAMMONTON, N.J.

Authorities say a chemical leak at a medical company in southern New Jersey has left several workers feeling ill.

The refrigerant leak happened Wednesday at Home Solutions Infusion Therapy in Hammonton. The cause of the leak remains under investigation, though officials say it may have been caused by a malfunction in the building's ventilation system.

Authorities say roughly 30 workers were assessed at the scene. Eight people were taken to hospitals for further evaluation, while two others were airlifted by medical chopper.

Worker Kim Valentine told The Press of Atlantic City that she smelled a chemical odor in the building before her throat became sore. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she said they stung.

Other employees said they were nauseated and had headaches.

There are many types of refrigerant but most air conditioners use either R-22 or Freon coolant – depending on their age. Newer air conditioners may use R410-A refrigerant, an environmentally safer option.

All of these refrigerant types are chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs. These chemicals are controlled substances by the Environmental Protection Agency, meaning they must be properly removed and disposed of. Because your air conditioner does not consume any of coolant in operation, it should never need to be refilled unless there is a leak. Such a leak should be stopped immediately due to the immense damage CFCs can do to the environment.

If refrigerant leaks into your office or home it will evaporate as a gas and is harmful to inhale, causing a variety of health problems, including nausea, headache and in extreme cases asphyxiation.  These are the type of symptoms experienced by these workers.