Six people died and 12 others were hospitalised on January 28 after a liquid nitrogen leak occurred at a poultry plant in the state of Georgia, US. Local fire and police officials confirmed that five people died at the scene while one person died after being transported to hospital. Three of the injured are in critical conditions, five are stable, and three others have been treated and released.
The incident happened at a plant belonging to the Foundation Food Group in Gainesville, around 60 miles (97km) north of Atlanta. Foundation Food Group Vice President Nicholas Ancrum told reporters that an initial inspection suggested that a nitrogen line had burst. A full investigation by the local police and fire department is underway.
The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) said it two of its investigators would deploy to the scene and its CEO and Chairman, Dr. Katherine Lemos, would also attend the site.
Authorities were called to the site at around 10:12 local time and said the incident required a hazardous materials response within 10 minutes of arriving. Four firefighters were among those injured after suffering from respiratory problems.
The bodies of those who died at the scene were removed from the plant later in the day once it had been made safe. The Foundation Food Group did not disclose the identities of those who died but said among them were maintenance, supervisory and management team members.
Liquid nitrogen is often used in food processing plants as a refrigerant. If it leaks into an enclosed environment, it can quickly displace oxygen and can lead to death by asphyxiation. In December 2020, there was a liquid nitrogen leak at a food processing plant in Vernon, Los Angeles which killed two workers. The incident at the Golden West Food Group plant remains under investigation after Hazmat teams were unable to determine the source of the liquid nitrogen and did not detect abnormal levels of liquid nitrogen in the area where the two employees were found.
