CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : RICHMOND : Company to Pay Bills in Fumes Exposure

General Chemical Corp. officials said they will pay medical bills for people injured when a chemical leak sent a plume of sulfuric acid over the East Bay area. More than 5,000 people were treated at hospitals and health clinics for exposure to the fumes. The leak occurred at the chemical firm when a safety valve blew on a railroad tanker car. “In response to the regrettable incident, General Chemical will pay the cost of all legitimate initial medical costs for emergency treatment at area hospitals and outpatient clinics,” company spokesman Jack Kroeger said. The company also set up a hot line for victims concerned about the accident.