STERLING, Va. — Dozens of people were taken to area hospitals Wednesday night after an ammonia leak at a Sterling business.
According to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Travis Preau, crews were called to the building on Sous Vide Lane around 8:30 p.m. for reports of a gas leak. Upon arrival, crews found ammonia had leaked into the building.
Fire crews searched the building in protective equipment and found everyone had made it out safely. A hazardous materials team then worked to identify the source of the leak. On Thursday, fire crews said a failed valve was to blame.
When first responders got to the scene, they found a group of about 200 employees who had evacuated. Due to the number of people, the incident commander requested a mass casualty incident response, which brought more emergency vehicles to the scene to help.
Of the 287 employees working in the facility at the time of the leak, a total of 33 patients were transported to area hospitals: five in serious condition, 17 in serious but non-life-threatening condition, and 11 with minor symptoms. The remaining 254 employees were isolated, evaluated, and did not require transport, authorities said.
As of Thursday afternoon, 4 employees are still under medical observation and 29 have returned home.
The facility was closed Thursday as well.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), exposure to high levels of ammonia can irritate the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs and cause coughing and burns. Additionally, lung damage and death may occur after exposure to very high concentrations of ammonia. Preau reported that it was pure ammonia leaking into the building.
Symptoms of exposure to high levels of ammonia include:
- Abdominal pain
- Coughing
- Coughing up white to pink-tinged fluid (sign of pulmonary edema)
- Blistering of skin
- Burning sensation in the nose, throat, lungs, and eyes
- Frostbite if exposed to liquified ammonia
- Narrowing of the throat and swelling
- Nausea
- Permanent or temporary blindness
- Skin pain
- Skin redness
- Vomiting
The leak was discovered by building maintenance staff, who were able to get it under control. Preau said crews were in the process of ventilating the building overnight.
HAZMAT crews were called to the area to evaluate the air around the building. There does not appear to be any concern for people who live or work near the building where the leak happened.
It is unclear what caused the leak at this time.
The CDC says if you are ever exposed to ammonia, to follow three steps:
- Get away from the area where the ammonia was released and breathe fresh air.
- Get it off your body right away.
- Get help right away by calling 911, going to the hospital if local officials say it is safe to leave your home, or calling the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.