Three workers at the General Motors Corp. Orion Assembly Plant were taken to Crittenton Hospital after a mysterious substance caused them to have difficulty breathing early Monday morning.
‘From the way it was explained to me, there was a build-up of dust or paint flakes in the duct work and they turned the fans up too high,? said Orion Fire Chief Jeff Key.
The department described the substance as zinc carbonate oxide. It is a mineral that is irritating when inhaled, but poses no long-term health threats.
‘There wasn’t a spill or a leak or anything of that nature,? Key said, noting that the situation was specific to a paint booth area at the plant.
‘We got the call around 7 or 7:30,? the chief said. ‘When our department arrived on the scene, they realized it was much more than a simple breathing issue.?
The department immediately ordered the paint area shut down and an Oakland County Hazmat team to the scene.
Key said the call for a Hazmat team means that many different units come to the scene. Those on the scene included unit from Auburn Hills, Oxford Township, Oakland Township and Addison Township.
The Hazmat team sent the substance to a lab for analysis, where it was identified as zinc carbonate oxide.
Three workers were taken to the hospital and a handful of others were treated on the scene.
Key said the various emergency units were on the scene until just after noon.
‘GM has a private contractor they call in to clean up the situation,? Key adding that plant officials plan to thoroughly clean the system.