STERLING, Va. – An ammonia leak at a commercial food preparation facility in Virginia sent 33 people to the hospital, authorities said Thursday.
The leak at the Cuisine Solutions plant in Sterling Wednesday night was caused by a faulty valve, the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System said in a written statement. A hazardous response team donned protective gear and closed the valve, authorities said. The company said in a written statement Thursday that the leak occurred outside the building and was contained within an hour.
Of the 33 who were hospitalized, 22 were initially in serious condition, while another 11 had mild symptoms, fire officials said. Cuisine Solutions said Thursday that all hospitalized employees had been released, except for four, who were still under observation.
The leak forced the evacuation of the factory’s 287 employees, rescue officials said.
Ammonia can cause respiratory problems and skin burns.
Cuisine Solutions is known for a cooking method called sous vide, which places food in a vacuum bag and cooks it in water. The company’s meals can be found in the prepared foods sections of supermarkets, in delivered meal kits and on cruise ships.
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