Chemical spill at Barr Laboratories sends 3 to hospital
POMONA – Three workers at a Quaker Road pharmaceutical laboratory were taken to Nyack Hospital on Tuesday after being exposed to a potentially lethal chemical compound.
Officials said a chemist under contract with Barr Laboratories Inc. was pouring 50 milligrams of powdered potassium cyanide into a 100 milliliter liquid solution when the mixture boiled over about 4:50 p.m.
"The product splashed up on one of the scientists' face," said Chris Kear, Rockland County deputy fire coordinator. "He immediately notified the personnel around him and the scientist had water flushed to his face for about 15 minutes and was decontaminated within the unit."
The contract employee, whose identity was not released, was said to be conscious and alert during the emergency response. He was taken by the Haverstraw Ambulance Corps to Nyack Hospital for further decontamination and evaluation, officials said.
Two other scientists working inside the 1,500-square-foot room also were exposed to the chemical mixture. Those men, ages 29 and 31, were not identified, but were said to be employed directly by Barr Laboratories, which is operated by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. All victims were expected to recover, Kear said.
Four volunteers from the Hillcrest Fire Department were decontaminated at the scene as a precautionary measure, Kear said. They were uninjured and did not require hospitalization.
Officials said there are 300 employees at the Pomona facility working in two shifts. At the time of the chemical spill, there were 10 employees nearby. Kear said proper safety measures, including the evacuation of the building, were taken.
"It was in an enclosed room and they did shut down the ventilation system in the building so it wouldn't spread," Kear said. "That was one of the main concerns, too, about the product being in powder form and spreading throughout the building."
A Rockland County hazmat team along with numerous fire officials and Haverstraw police responded to the scene and had the incident under control by about 6:45 p.m. Officials said there was never a significant threat to the surrounding community.
Guards at the facility kept employees from going toward the building containing the chemical spill.
Denise Bradley, vice president of global corporate reputation for Teva Pharmaceuticals, said the incident occurred in a relatively small area that was thoroughly cleaned by the county's hazmat team and that the facility was operating normally late Tuesday night.
Bradley said Teva has "initiated an investigation into the root cause" of the incident and will "work with employees and their families to provide any assistance needed."
Whether the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or any other federal agency was contacted to investigate the incident was not clear.
Brian Malin, an instructor of biology at Rockland Community College, said compounds such as potassium cyanide are commonly used in chemical engineering and industrial applications and are safe when handled by properly trained individuals in a controlled setting.
He said the compound, if exposed to the body, can cause damage to the lungs, eyes and mucus membranes.
"Potassium cyanide can cause serious health problems if significant exposure occurs," he said, "but due to the quick response by the lab team and the fire department, the potential for long-term problems was likely mitigated."
Potassium cyanide releases hydrogen cyanide gas, a highly toxic chemical asphyxiant that interferes with the body's ability to use oxygen, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Exposure to it can be fatal.
It is used commercially for fumigation, electroplating, and extracting gold and silver from ores, and can be purchased from chemical supply companies.
Hydrogen cyanide gas released by potassium cyanide has a bitter almond odor. Many people, though, cannot detect it.
Staff writer Jane Lerner contributed to this report.