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At least 33 people taken to hospitals in ammonia leak at sous vide company

Dorothy Brand
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At least 33 workers were taken to hospitals Wednesday night after ammonia leaked at a culinary facility near Dulles International Airport in Virginia, according to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. A department spokeswoman said five of the victims were transported with very serious, potentially life-threatening conditions.

The incident occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. at Cuisine Solutions, the spokeswoman said. The company has a global reach, partnering with mega-retailers such as Costco and Target to provide meal kits and food offerings such as a popular egg bite breakfast item sold at Starbucks, according to its website.

Headquartered in Sterling, Cuisine Solutions is an industry leader in commercializing a culinary technique known as sous vide, which uses temperature-controlled water to slowly cook food in a vacuum-sealed bag. From chicken tenders to lamb shanks with portobello mushrooms, their products are ubiquitous — found on airplanes and at conventions, hotels, cruises, and in the prepared meal section of grocery stores.

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Wednesday’s incident occurred at a building in the 22400 block of Sous Vide Lane in Sterling, at a commercial complex north of the airport. The fire department initially said the leak occurred inside a building but later said the leak occurred outside and ammonia was pulled inside the facility through an HVAC system. The company said in a statement the leak occurred outside its industrial food manufacturing plant and was contained within an hour.

In its statement, the company said four of the 33 employees who were sickened remained under medical observation as of late Thursday morning. The company said 29 workers have returned home. The plant closed for the day “out of respect for employees,” the company said. The company also has a presence in Alexandria.

In a statement posted online, authorities said firefighters and other first responders from Fairfax and Prince William counties assisted, along with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Five of the people taken to hospitals suffered “significant symptoms,” according to updated information provided by the fire department Thursday morning.

The fire department spokeswoman said that among those taken to hospitals, 17 people had serious injuries and 11 had minor injuries.

It was not immediately clear what caused the leak or how ammonia was being used at the facility. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, inhaling ammonia gas, which is colorless and has a distinct odor, can cause short-term respiratory problems. Prolonged exposure can cause coughing and wheezing and impaired lung functions.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.

By Dorothy Brand