14 hospitalized after unknown substance found at recycling center
CALDWELL COUNTY, NC (WSOC) — Emergency crews responded to Prime Recycling in Caldwell County on Monday after a white powder was discovered on packages, leaving 22 people feeling ill and sending 14 to the hospital.
Caldwell Emergency Services said plant managers evacuated the facility as a precaution.
Workers began opening the boxes and the white powder went airborne, leading to the medical issues firefighters said.
Families reported that workers suffered from burning eyes and trouble breathing.
A decontamination operation was launched at the hospital.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina Regional Hazmat team and Asheville firefighters responded to the recycling plant as officials work to identify the unknown substance.
No additional details have been made available.
