Ammonia Leak Sickens Food Plant Workers
About 25 workers at a turkey processing plant were sent to area hospitals Monday after ammonia leaked from a freezer unit.
Workers at the Butterball Turkey Co. complained of nausea and irritated throats. Those affected were examined and sent home, said Turlock Fire Capt. Manuel Drummonde.
Butterball spokesman Dennis Gott said the leak was mostly confined to a cooler room in one corner of the plant.
“As soon as we realized [the leak] was there, that area was evacuated within minutes,” he said. The cause of the leak was not known.
The plant, which employees 812 workers, was closed for the day, but Gott said work should resume Tuesday.
The company said some whole turkeys and turkey products were lost in the spill.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
