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Eleven people rushed to hospital after chemical leak at SoCal plant
A chemical leak at POM Wonderful’s pomegranate plant in Del Rey, California, led to at least 150 people being evacuated and 11 taken to hospital for further assessment. Fire officials said 58 people were evaluated; the incident was contained within the factory, and authorities said the surrounding community was not exposed.
The company’s report said about a gallon of BioSide HS 15% cleaning solution escaped through a pinhole in a transfer line onto wet asphalt. Some employees reported breathing difficulties and light-headedness. After testing, the evacuation was lifted and workers returned that evening; the Del Rey site is the company’s main pomegranate manufacturing facility.
In short
- A cleaning solution leaked at POM Wonderful’s Del Rey plant.
- At least 150 people were evacuated.
- Eleven people went to hospital for further assessment.
Explained simply
POM Wonderful is a California company that grows and processes pomegranates and makes products such as juice. Its Del Rey site is its main pomegranate manufacturing facility, where cleaning solutions are used as part of factory operations.
BioSide HS 15% is a cleaning solution used at the plant. A leak from a transfer line can expose workers nearby, while wet surfaces may affect how a spill spreads. Chemical incidents are assessed to determine who may need medical attention and whether the substance has reached areas beyond the workplace.