Carbon monoxide hospitalizes 25 at NY plant

The Associated Press

FREEPORT, N.Y. — A gas leak has caused an evacuation at a packaging plant on New York's Long Island and sent 25 workers to the hospital for exposure to carbon monoxide.

Firefighters responded to the leak at the LaMar Plastic Packaging company in Freeport on Tuesday morning. The county's hazardous materials team determined the carbon monoxide likely came from the plant's gas-fired heaters.

Mark Stuparich, a Freeport assistant fire chief, says indoor air readings indicated carbon monoxide levels of more than 500 parts per million. Normal levels are 5 parts per million or less, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Workers complained of headaches, dizziness and nausea. Along with the 25 who went to the hospital, 20 were treated at the scene.