Fire and EMS personnel as well as members of the Eastern Shore Regional HazMat Team entered in special suits to try and contain the leak.
According to WVEC, dozens of workers were evaluated, but non were taken to the hospital. They also reported that a total of 200 - 300 workers were evacuated.
Ammonia is used in manufacturing, refrigeration, and agricultural products such as fertilizers, however most people are exposed to limited amounts of ammonia through household cleaning products. Household ammonia rarely causes burns, but is known to cause irritation.
According to the CDC, being able to detect the odor of ammonia generally indicates sufficient exposure to the substance. Those who experience prolonged exposure to the substance usually lose their ability to detect its odor.
Ammonia is poisonous, flammable, corrosive, and has a potential to be an explosive. When mixed with certain substances, such as strong oxidants or acids, it can react violently by exploding or producing deadly gases.
The extent of injury from the exposure to ammonia depends on the duration and concentration of the substance:
- Eye exposure symptoms can range from burning/irritated eyes to a sever corrosive eye injury which causes inflammation to numerous parts of the eye resulting in temporary or permanent blindness.
- Ingestion or inhalation exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, burns of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach. Swelling or corrosive damage to the lips, mouth, larynx, and stomach.
- Skin exposure can cause irritation, swelling, stinging pain, blistering, tissue death, and deep penetrating burns.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured as a result of an exposure to ammonia, and the exposure was due to someone else's negligence, you have legal rights. If you'd like to discuss your legal rights with an attorney,
contact our personal injury attorneys to setup a free no obligation consultation.