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Federal Investigators To Probe DuPont Plant Leaks

U.S. Chemical Safety Board says team of investigators is heading to DuPont's idled chemical plant in Belle, W. Va., to probe a series of leaks that resulted in death of one worker.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board says a four-member team of investigators is heading to DuPont's idled chemical plant in Belle.

The board says it expects the team to be on site Tuesday to start investigating a series of leaks that resulted in the death of one worker and the operation's temporary shutdown over the weekend.

The board says it's aware of six other leaks at the plant since 2006. DuPont officials put the sprawling plant on safety shutdown after three leaks were reported, including one that went unnoticed for a week.

On Saturday, a worker was exposed to the chemical phosgene. Company officials confirmed Monday that Carl Fish died on Sunday. Plant spokesman Roger Hess says DuPont decided to temporarily cease production so operating procedures could be reviewed.

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