BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- A gas leak at a chemical factory under construction in southeastern Thailand sickened 112 people Tuesday, the factory and hospital officials said.
Most of the injured were construction workers who were stricken with vomiting, nausea and dizziness, said Chanunchida Daosukho, a spokeswoman for the factory, which is owned by PTT Phenol Co., a subsidiary of Thailand's oil and gas conglomerate PTT PLC.
The phenol factory, which has yet to begin operation, is located in an industrial zone of Rayong province, 140 kilometers (90 miles) southeast of Bangkok. Phenol is used to make a variety of products including air fresheners, medical ointments, cosmetics and sunscreens.
The accident occurred during a test run of machinery that caused a leak of cumene gas, a byproduct of phenol, said Chanunchida. A statement from PTT Phenol said the leak had been plugged and the cause was under investigation.
None of those injured were in critical condition, said Waana Tipprapayam, a spokeswoman at Rayong Hospital. She said 68 people were brought to the hospital after the gas leak, mostly construction workers, some of whom were released later in the day.
