GEISMAR, La. (AP) — Louisiana State Police say a power failure caused a chemical release that injured three people working at an Ascension Parish plant.
Trooper Russell Graham said Wednesday that paramedics transported the injured workers from Westlake Vinyls in Geismar to area hospitals in stable condition.
WBRZ-TV reports (https://bit.ly/JWpIK0) Graham said an undetermined amount of chemical was released into the plant's ventilation system, and the workers inhaled some of the product. He says the plant's systems are designed to release those chemicals during a power outage for safety purposes.
Graham says the chemicals have not yet been identified, but were possibly hydrogen chloride, ethylene dichloride or vinyl chloride monomer.
State police hazardous materials crews are currently on site.
No evacuations were ordered for the release.
Information from: WBRZ-TV, http://2theadvocate.com
