29 workers sent to hospital after ammonia leak

USA: Twenty-nine workers were sent to hospital after two separate ammonia refrigerant leaks at a cheese factory in Greenville, Tennessee.

Local reports say that the fire services were first called to the La Quesera Mexicana cheese factory at 7.15am local time on Wednesday. 

Reports suggest the leak occurred from a valve during maintenance, initially sending six employees to hospital due to ammonia exposure. 

After being given the all clear, the emergency services received a second call around three hours later with reports of a second leak. This time 23 workers were sent to hospital. 

All the hospitalised workers have since returned home. 

Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation into the incidents.