A recent hazardous materials incident in Redwood City, California, exposed 21 people to Freon gas, leading to frightening symptoms such as bloody noses and nausea, according to KRON4. The release of the chemical was traced back to a faulty air conditioning unit within a clean room at a Redwood Shores facility, and local authorities claim the situation is now under control.
The incident took place yesterday, on the 1100 block of Island Drive, home to Talis Biomedical Corporation, a diagnostic company. The Redwood City Fire Department (RCFD) was quick to respond, arriving at 12:23 p.m. after receiving reports of an odor investigation, as CBS News reported. A total of 21 individuals were exposed to the Freon gas during the accidental chemical release; while 16 luckily displayed no symptoms, five others were not so fortunate and required treatment on the scene.
Aside from nausea and bleeding noses, other symptoms reported included vomiting and medical issues. The RCFD has ensured that the leaked gas, identified as Freon, is not related to biohazard materials and poses no further threat to the public. The building where the incident occurred was evacuated, but no additional evacuations or shelter-in-place orders were given to the surrounding community.
Redwood City Fire Department Deputy Chief Dave Pucci described the situation as "a little unusual," and while mechanical failures at commercial buildings can sometimes release an odor, it is rare for it to lead to extensive symptoms, as mentioned in an KTVU report. Although the emergency services were on site, the building remained evacuated as firefighters inspected the premises methodically, stressed by Redwood City FD. It was also uncertain whether people would be allowed back into the facility the following day.
As the investigation continued to unfold, RCFD crews worked diligently to determine the source of the Freon leak and identify which HVAC unit had failed. Deputy Fire Chief Pucci, as quoted in CBS News, emphasized that there was no urgent need for crews to enter the building as the workers were already safe, so they would "take [their] time and do it safely with the right equipment and make sure that we test and determine exactly what's going on in there."
