Eighteen people were sent to the hospital after complaining of eye irritation and chest pains. OSHA has not yet released any findings into the incident.
At the time, a triage area was set up in the parking lot of a nearby convenience store where patients were taken for initial evaluation.
Part of the concern was that Fieldale sent an initial wave of ambulances back after employees had called 911. Company officials, quoted by The Times, defended their action and the safety measures in place at the plant to deal with such emergencies.
Plant officials allowed first shift employees to go home for the day, but said the plant would be operating again for the shift that began at 4:00 p.m. that day.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/9/189874