Local News in Brief : ‘Funny Odor’ Gas Forces Evacuation

A gas with a “funny odor” in a Los Angeles electronics company Wednesday forced the evacuation of 150 people and sent 18 to the hospital, but fire officials were unable to find its source, authorities said.

Hazardous materials crews found no residue of any substance in the two buildings housing the Mepec Central Labs, though several workers complained of dizziness from the gas about 10 a.m., Fire Department spokesman Jim Williamson said.

“The chief at the scene said it may have been sewer gas that was sucked into air ducts and dispersed throughout the building, but we’re not sure,” Williamson said.

About 150 employees were ordered out of the two buildings on Electronics Place, where computer circuit boards are made, while hazardous materials crews searched inside. A report from one of the workers that the “funny odor” resembled the pesticide malathion was discounted, Williamson said.

Most of the evacuees were back at work about 1 p.m., but 18 people were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment of persistent medical complaints.