18 HILLSBORO WORKERS TREATED FOR BREATHING BATTERY FUMES (PHOTO)
News Release from Hillsboro Fire and Rescue
Posted on FlashAlert: July 21st, 2014 10:11 AM
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(Hillsboro, Oregon) - Eighteen Hillsboro workers were treated for minor injuries early Monday morning as a result of breathing fumes from overheated lead acid batteries. The incident occurred at Cascade Systems Technologies, 23176 NW Bennett Street, shortly before 8 am. When Hillsboro firefighters arrived, they found approximately 50-60 people evacuated from the building and, initially, seven of them were complaining of eye and nose irritations, breathing difficulties and nausea. The incident commander requested a medical task force to bring additional crews along with three Metro West Ambulances.
Firefighters set up triage and determined that none of the employees was suffering any serious symptoms. All who were exposed were advised to be evaluated by physicians. The 17 people who complained of any symptoms were loaded into three ambulances and transported to local hospitals: five to Tuality, five to St. Vincent's Medical Center and seven to Kaiser Westside. An 18th employee had left prior to firefighters' arrival and had driven to a private physician.
Company managers told Hillsboro Fire investigators that several lead acid batteries were placed on a timed charger over the weekend. Apparently, the charger failed to shut off in time and two of the batteries overheated and began producing acid fumes. The batteries were removed from the building. Firefighters checked the building for residual fumes and determined it was clear before allowing the employees to reenter. Cascade Systems Technologies is a contract manufacturer. There was no threat to any surrounding businesses.
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Firefighters set up triage and determined that none of the employees was suffering any serious symptoms. All who were exposed were advised to be evaluated by physicians. The 17 people who complained of any symptoms were loaded into three ambulances and transported to local hospitals: five to Tuality, five to St. Vincent's Medical Center and seven to Kaiser Westside. An 18th employee had left prior to firefighters' arrival and had driven to a private physician.
Company managers told Hillsboro Fire investigators that several lead acid batteries were placed on a timed charger over the weekend. Apparently, the charger failed to shut off in time and two of the batteries overheated and began producing acid fumes. The batteries were removed from the building. Firefighters checked the building for residual fumes and determined it was clear before allowing the employees to reenter. Cascade Systems Technologies is a contract manufacturer. There was no threat to any surrounding businesses.
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