6 Sickened, 1 Hospitalized By Chemical Spill In Edison

EDISON, NJ — At least one person had to be taken to a local hospital after a hazardous chemical spill occurred in Edison Thursday morning, a Township spokesman confirmed to Patch.

The spill occurred in an industrial part of the Township, at the Kendiesel facility on Kilmer Court. Two old 55-gallon drums in a warehouse – one containing kerosene and the other, a solvent used to clean motor parts – began to emit noxious odors that reportedly sickened some workers, fire Capt. Andy Toth said. Plant employees told fire officials they believed the drums, in the rear of a warehouse, were at least 15 years old or perhaps older.

All 50 employees at the plant were evacuated when the spill occurred. EMTs from JFK Medical Center examined and administered oxygen to seven employees who said the odors had sickened them or caused temporary dizziness, Toth said.

Six workers refused to be transported to the hospital. A seventh was taken to JFK for treatment and was later released. That employee said he had shortness of breath due to the extremely strong smell. He has since been released.

Kendiesel, a diesel fuel injection parts manufacturer at 6 Kilmer Court, is responsible to pay for the removal and proper disposal of the secured drums.

The Middlesex County hazmat team was brought to the scene at around 11 a.m.

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