Over 50 employees at Sharp Packaging Solutions in Pennsylvania required hospitalization after a chemical odor was reported, according to nbcphiladelphia.com.
Lt. Peter Nickischer of the Upper Macungie Township Police Department said in a press release that 54 Sharp Packaging Solutions employees were transported to local hospitals for evaluations following reports of a "chemical odor" on Feb. 23. The contract pharmaceutical service facility is located in Upper Macungie.
All employees were not sent to the hospital but were checked out of an abundance of caution. Those hospitalized reported nausea, headaches and sore throats. All were expected to be discharged later on the day of the incident.
The release stated that fire officials and Lehigh County Special Operations who arrived on the scene found no abnormal readings at Sharp and there has not been a determination as to the cause of the odor.
Sharp Packaging Solutions also issued a statement on the incident.
"We are deeply grateful for the swift and thorough response from local emergency services, and we are currently working closely with local officials to investigate the source of the odor in Building 01 of our Allentown campus," the statement read.
“The building’s production floor was shut down and evacuated, and we understand those staff who experienced symptoms are recovering at area hospitals or at home," the statement continued. "At this time, Sharp’s Environment Health and Safety leaders and facility management are coordinating with local officials to investigate and address the source of the odor. The Special Operations Team from the County of Lehigh Emergency Management Agency conducted an extensive hazardous materials evaluation of the impact area and found no evidence of any hazardous chemicals or odors. We will remain in contact with local officials and keep our employees informed when we have more to share."
