Refrigerant leak at Costco sickens 20 employees, sending 4 to hospital, NJ cops say
A refrigerant leak at Costco sickened 20 employees inside and sent four people to the hospital, police in New Jersey said.
Due to the danger, the wholesale store was evacuated and temporarily closed, according to the Hazlet Township Police Department.
Costco staff called 911 around 6:45 a.m. to report a Freon leak on Dec. 29, the department said in a news release. Then, they tried to ventilate the store and delay its daily morning opening.
A few hours later, another emergency call was placed by a Costco staff member in which about 20 employees complained of headaches and nausea around 9:30 a.m., police said.
First responders and 15 to 20 ambulances arrived at the scene. Four people were sent to the hospital and treated, according to the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office.
The Costco location reopened on Dec. 30 for normal operation, KFOR reported.
Refrigerant is used in air conditioners and refrigerators for cooling, according to WebMD, and can cause health risks if one is exposed to it.
Exposure to the chemical can cause toxicity, flammability, asphyxiation, and physical damage-like burns, the health website explains.
If refrigerant is accidentally inhaled or ingested, emergency services should be sought out immediately.
Hazlet Township is located 40 miles south of New York City.
This story was originally published December 30, 2021 at 6:37 PM with the headline "Refrigerant leak at Costco sickens 20 employees, sending 4 to hospital, NJ cops say."
.jpg)