3 Exposed to Chemical Hospitalized
An employee of a dry-cleaners and two firefighters were taken to a hospital for observation Wednesday after being exposed to a solvent spilled at the business, according to authorities.
The accident occurred at about 2:30 p.m. at the Elegant Custom Cleaners in the 20800 block of Lassen Street, said Jim Wells, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.
City firefighters along with a hazardous-materials crew were sent to the location.
The cleaners employee--a man whom authorities did not further identify--was handling the chemical known as perchloroethylene when he apparently spilled two to three gallons of the liquid, according to authorities.
The dry-cleaning solvent is a colorless, moderately toxic chemical which can irritate the eyes and skin.
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