Friday, May 15, 2015

MONTEREY APPLE STORE PACKAGE THAT HOSPITALIZED 4 PEOPLE WAS CONTAMINATED AT FEDEX FACILITY WITH ORGANIC PEROXIDE, AN OXIDANT




MAY 13, 2015

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA

Monterey fire officials confirmed four people were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after being exposed at Del Monte Shopping Center to a hazardous chemical that spilled on a package at a FedEx distribution facility.

The “clear liquid” that made a dozen people feel nauseated was determined to be organic peroxide, Monterey Fire Chief Gaundenz Panholzer said. The chemical spilled on an Apple Store package being delivered to Del Monte Center from Apple headquarters, Panholzer said.

Panholzer said the package was contaminated at a FedEx distribution center and was then put on a FedEx truck. FedEx spokeswoman Connie Avery said an event like this is “very unusual.”

“Our immediate concern is for the well-being of those involved,” FedEx said in a statement. “We are cooperating with authorities investigating the cause of the incident.”

Several of the people exposed were Apple Store employees picking up the delivery near Macy’s Furniture Gallery at about 12:50 p.m. Most of the people hospitalized were Apple employees. The store was closed and evacuated as a precaution, Panholzer said.

“Not because of contamination in there,” he said.

After the FedEx truck delivered the package, Panholzer said the driver made three more deliveries in Monterey. Officials are investigating whether or not those packages were hazardous.

“There were several packages in the truck, but they are not making any further deliveries since they were made aware of the situation,” Panholzer said, adding it appears the Apple Store package was the only contaminated package in the truck.

Organic peroxide is used as a disinfectant, but if people are exposed to a high concentration of the chemical it could be toxic, Panholzer said. The people exposed said they felt nauseated due to the smell, not because of physical contact. 

Soon after the package was determined to be hazardous, it was taken to a dumpster near the P.F. Chang’s restaurant. As a result, the patio at the restaurant was closed. Panholzer said the restaurant stayed open.

The parking lot next to Macy’s Furniture Gallery was also blocked off as crews investigated the situation.
Source: http://www.montereyherald.com