Official: 'Improperly Disposed Container' Caused Chemical Spill That Sickened Local Landfill Workers

An ”improperly disposed” container was blamed for a chemical spill at the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation in Johnston Wednesday morning.

About a dozen workers were hospitalized. WPRO reported their symptoms included “ throat irritation, headaches, nausea, and in some case heart palpitations.”

The incident happened at a materials recycling facility. Michael O’Connell, the recovery corporation’s executive director, said the spill was likely caused by an ”improperly disposed” container.

“A worker reported a small amount of smoke on the sorting line,” O’Connell said in a statement. “The line was stopped immediately and emergency procedures were enacted.”

O’Connell did not identify the toxic substance.

O’Connell said Rhode Islanders need to understand what is and isn’t recyclable. He pointed them to recycletogether.org.

“This situation (was) preventable,” he said.

An investigation was ongoing.

Photo credit: Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation