400 Employees Evacuate From Plant

More than 400 employees at the Price Pfister manufacturing plant in Pacoima were evacuated Monday after a dozen workers complained of feeling ill following the release of hydrogen sulfide gas, fire officials said.

Three workers were taken to local hospitals for a check of possible minor respiratory problems, said Bob Collis of the Los Angeles Fire Department. All of the workers were later released, no other injuries were reported, and workers returned to the building before noon, said a company security officer who declined to be identified.

Eight engine companies and 40 firefighters, including several hazardous-materials teams, were called to the incident at about 10:25 a.m. Fire officials said release of the gas was routine and there was no leak. The building, however, was evacuated as a precaution, Collis said.

Price Pfister, at 13500 Paxton Ave., has been the site of several protests over the last several years after the foundry, which produces brass plumbing fixtures, began moving much of its operations to its lower-cost foundry in Mexicali, Mexico, just south of the border. Hundreds of workers have been laid off, and many who remain say they fear for their jobs in the near future.

Price Pfister officials could not be reached for comment.