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By Isabel Cameron
Freelance Science Reporter
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Twenty-six people were transported to hospital late Wednesday evening following an ammonia gas leak at a commercial building in Sterling, Virginia.
At approximately 8:36 p.m. ET, the Loudoun County Fire Rescue responded to a 911 call reporting a leak in the 22400 block of Sous Vide Lane in Sterling.
The leak was later confirmed to be ammonia, with numerous people at the scene exposed to this dangerous health hazard.
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The leak occurred outside a food processing facility belonging to Cuisine Solutions.
A spokesperson for Cuisine Solutions told Newsweek: "On Wednesday night, Loudoun Fire and Rescue responded to an ammonia leak outside an industrial food manufacturing plant in Sterling, Virginia. The leak occurred outside the building and was quickly contained within the hour."
"Out of 33 employees affected, 4 are still under medical observation. 29 have already returned home. The facility will be closed today out of respect for employees. As this is an ongoing situation, once we receive additional information, we will provide an update as soon as possible."
The cause of the ammonia leak was a failed valve and the response crew donned specialized protective gear to enter the structure, isolating and controlling the leaking valve, a spokesperson for Loudoun County Fire told Newsweek.
"Fire crews performed a rapid primary search of the structure and the search confirmed that everyone was out of the building. First responders arriving on scene encountered a large group of approximately 200 employees who had self-evacuated and were gathering on Broderick Drive," the spokesperson added.
"Due to the number of potential patients and type of medical conditions presenting, the incident commander requested a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) alarm, which includes an additional 10 emergency medical services (EMS) transport units, 10 suppressions units, a mobile ambulance bus, command staff support, and other resources.
Of the 287 employees working in the facility at the time of the leak, a total of 33 patients were transported to area hospitals. Among them, five were in "serious condition," indicating severe exposure. A further 17 were in serious but non-life-threatening condition, and 11 with minor symptoms, Loudoun County Fire said.
The remaining 254 employees were isolated, evaluated on scene, and did not require transport.
Ammonia is a toxic, pungent-smelling gas or liquid used in fertilizers, cleaning products, and pharmaceuticals. It is highly corrosive to tissues upon contact and is essential for the nitrogen supply in plants and animals.
Exposure to high levels of ammonia in the air can be extremely harmful, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Symptoms may include irritation of the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs, leading to coughing and chemical burns. Prolonged or high-concentration exposure can result in severe lung damage and even death. Individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions may be particularly susceptible to the effects of ammonia.
Most people will detect a strong, noxious odor or experience irritation that signals ammonia exposure. However, prolonged exposure can diminish their ability to sense the chemical. This reduced sensitivity can increase the risk of harmful effects, as individuals may not recognize the ongoing danger.
Units from Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, all responded to handle the emergency.
The CDC recommends moving to fresh air immediately if exposed to ammonia. If the release is outdoors, go indoors, close windows, and turn off ventilation. If indoors, evacuate the building. For household ammonia spills, ventilate the area and leave until the gas clears.
Additionally, affected individuals should remove contaminated clothing, shower with lukewarm water and mild soap, and flush eyes with water for 10-15 minutes if needed.
The Loudoun County Fire Rescue said there will be a continued public safety presence in the area to monitor the situation and ensure there are no further risks to the community.
Update 08/01/24, 11:43 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional comments from Cuisine Solutions.
Update 08/01/24, 12:38 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional comments from Loudoun County Fire Rescue.
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