Freon leak at Dyersburg facility sends 6 to ER; officials share chemical safety tips

DYERSBURG, Tenn. — Dyersburg Hazmat, Fire and EMS responded Sunday to St. Joseph Village after a chemical incident prompted an evacuation and sent six people to the emergency room for evaluation and treatment.

Those hospitalized included one firefighter, one EMS student, two St. Joseph Village residents and two Medical Center EMS team members.

What investigators found

Hazmat teams used air quality monitoring equipment and identified a positive reading in one room. Dyersburg Fire Chief Brett Sipes said crews then isolated the air conditioning unit in that area.

“They determined a possible Freon leak into the facility was the source of the symptoms experienced by first responders and residents,” Sipes said.

A press release issued Monday confirmed the chemical leak was Freon.

The Health Resources and Services Administration advises the public never to drink, inhale or apply bleach to skin, and never to mix it with other chemicals. Officials also say not to wash food with bleach or other disinfectants, and to store household chemicals in their original containers, kept up and away from children.

If chemicals have been ingested, poured on someone’s skin or fumes have been inhaled, call the Poison Control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or visit the Web Poison Control website. An online survey — which takes less than three minutes — will provide suggestions for next steps.

If pets are involved, call the ASPCA Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435.

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