Chemical Leak at Tennessee Cheese Factory Sends 29 Workers to Hospital

GREENEVILLE, Tenn.—Twenty-nine workers at a Tennessee cheese factory were sent to the hospital on Wednesday morning after a leak of anhydrous ammonia, Greeneville City Manager Todd Smith said at a news conference. The Greeneville Fire Department was first called to La Quesera Mexicana at 7:15 a.m. when a leak occurred during maintenance on a valve. Six people were hospitalized at the time. “The leak was contained and fixed at that moment. And the scene was certified as safe,” Mr. Smith said. However, a second call about a leak came in at 10:01 a.m. A further 23 people were hospitalized and 53 other employees were evaluated for possible illness, Mr. Smith said. Anhydrous ammonia can irritate or damage the lungs and burn the eyes and skin....