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International Paper Investigating Mystery Illness

Paper maker investigating what caused one worker to lose consciousness and two others to be taken to the hospital during a maintenance shutdown at its Georgetown, S.C., mill.

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (AP) -- International Paper Co. says it is investigating what caused one worker to lose consciousness and two others to be taken to the hospital during a maintenance shutdown at its Georgetown mill.

The company said in a statement Friday that the three were evaluated at the hospital, but did not say what the health issues were or whether they remained hospitalized. Plant spokeswoman Kim Gill said Saturday that she couldn't provide information on the workers' health because of privacy issues.

A hospital spokesman said Saturday she could not give out information on the workers without their names. The company did not identify the workers.

The company said in its statement that contract employees were working in a vessel when they became ill. They were removed by the mill's emergency response team and taken to the hospital.

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