Accidental Chemical Spill Sends 35 Workers To Hospital

HOUSTON -- Dozens of workers at a southwest Houston cleaning facility were overcome with fumes Thursday after a gallon of a concentrated chemical spilled inside the warehouse, Local 2 reported.

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Warehouse Workers Overcome By Chemical Spill's Fumes

More than 100 workers at Admiral Linen & Uniform Service in the 2000 block of Kipling at Huldy told officials they felt sick at about 9 a.m. after a worker spilled one gallon of hydrogen peroxide.

"We're going to check everybody out who says they (feel ill)," Houston Fire Department District Chief Jack Williams said.

Several employees who complained of eye irritation and breathing problems were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital by ambulance, while others were given oxygen at the scene and transported to the hospital by METRO bus.

Williams said a worker accidentally spilled the concentrated form of hydrogen peroxide.

The building was evacuated while the Houston Fire Department's hazardous materials team diluted the solution.

A spokesperson for the business, which cleans uniforms and table linens, said this is the first time the company has ever experienced an event like this in the company's 66-year existence.

"My concern right now is making sure they are all OK and that we get them home, where they need to be. We'll talk with them tomorrow when they come back," Admiral Linen & Uniform Service spokeswoman Karen Pollard told Local 2.

In all, approximately 120 workers were exposed to the chemical and 35 were transported to a hospital for treatment.

Investigators said the spill was not serious and that it was cleaned up by 10 a.m.

Williams said exposure to the 35-percent hydrogen peroxide does not pose any health risks.

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