June 19, 2008 – 26 Health Department Workers Hospitalized

Twenty-six county health workers became ill while inside a health department building in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Thursday morning, police said. Hazmat workers took samples from the interior of the building in an attempt to pinpoint the cause of the illness. The culprit, which is believed to be a pesticide, caused workers to become nauseous and vomit.

The 26 workers who became ill were transported to a local hospital. According to hospital officials, all patients suffered from insecticide poisoning, but none of the illnesses were life threatening. ER workers were aided by hazmat specialists in the treatment of the patients because their clothes, hair, and skin may have contained traces of the unknown contaminant.

The Washington County Health Department building was reportedly sprayed with insecticide 3 days ago. Samples of that insecticide have been sent to the State Health Department in Little Rock.