ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL) — Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (NFS) has released additional details after two employees were transported to a hospital following a chemical reaction at the facility in Erwin on Monday.
According to an updated Nuclear Fuel Services, INC. (NFS) release, the company experienced a “minor chemical reaction during routine inventory activities,” around 10:30 a.m. on Monday. The reaction occurred in a contained area of the plant, the release states.
NFS initially described the event as a “condition upset” in its first release.
Two employees at the company were reportedly transported to a hospital for further evaluation. Later Monday afternoon, NFS stated in a release that the two employees had since been released from the hospital. The release states three others were “evaluated” at the site and then released.
According to NFS, the five employees who were seen by medical personnel were exposed to fumes as a result of the chemical reaction. The updated release states that all five were wearing the “appropriate personal protective equipment.”
“Out of an abundance of caution, NFS activated its emergency response organization (ERO) at the beginning of the event to ensure appropriate response was initiated as details were gathered,” the release states.
Ambulances were contacted as a precautionary measure to help employees affected by the event, NFS reports.
NFS stated there is no reported impact to the facilities, the public or the environment due to the incident. Additionally, the company stated that the facility was not evacuated.
Erwin Mayor Glenn White told News Channel 11 he was briefed on the chemical reaction this afternoon by Erwin Chief of Police.
“From what I’m understanding, evidently, it was serious, but not that serious to cause a major alarm throughout the city,” White said.
No further details were released. News Channel 11 requested an on-camera interview with NFS, but a spokesperson said no one was available.
