Evaluation of Health Effects of a Chlorine Gas Release in a Poultry Processing Plant – Arkansas

On the morning of June 27, 2011, human error resulted in the mixing of an acidic solution of Fresh FX, an antimicrobial used in poultry processing, with a sodium hypochlorite solution. This mixing of chemicals caused a release of chlorine gas into the plant. About 600 employees who were at work at the time of the release were evacuated.  NIOSH received a request for technical assistance from OSHA to evaluate employee health effects after the chlorine gas release.  What NIOSH found: 1) labeling in English only and lack of literacy in English contributed to the chlorine gas release; 2) 116 (21%) participants had asthma symptoms 4 months after the release. Of these, three participants had breathing tests consistent with reactive airway dysfunction syndrome 6 months after the release;  106 (19%) participants had posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms 4 months after the release.  The report… 

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