By Pinky Mehta
The Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville, Ky., meat-packing plant has been evacuated and residents nearby were advised to stay indoors after anhydrous ammonia vapor leaked from the facility.
A faint ammonia odor was detectable a few blocks away from the JBS Swift plant east of downtown Louisville about an hour after the leak.
Louisville Fire Department Capt. Salvador Melendez said 1,000 workers were evacuated at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday but no injuries have been reported.
Residents living within blocks of the plant were told to stay indoors and to avoid using air conditioning or heating.
Anhydrous ammonia, which can be used in refrigeration, can cause chemical burns on the skin or lung injury if inhaled.
Calls to the plant weren’t answered after the evacuation, and company officials didn’t immediately respond to a call seeking comment.