Fumes From Rotting Food in Office Fridge Send 7 to Hospital

Fox ^ | May 12, 2009

[RDTF]

An office worker cleaning a fridge full of rotten food created a smell so noxious that it sent seven co-workers to the hospital and made many others ill. Firefighters had to evacuate the AT&T building in downtown San Jose on Tuesday, after the flagrant fumes prompted someone to call 911. A hazmat team was called in.

-snip-

Authorities said the worker who cleaned the fridge didn't need treatment — she can't smell because of allergies

[classified]

Wow that cleaning lady has some strong stomach!

[SkyDancer]

So like what was the ref. for? When was the last time it was opened. Don’t people ‘normally’ put things in on a daily basis? Bet it was just some Gorgonzola cheese ....

[smokingfrog]

I’ve seen some nasty refrigerators before, but that must have been REALLY bad!

[dfwgator]

Yep, there by the grace of God....

[mamelukesabre]

What kind of treatment do you get if you smell something bad?

This is beyond stupid.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> after the flagrant fumes prompted someone to call 911.

I always approve of appropriate alliteration, but this time the mind boggles...

[armymarinemom]

Phenergan for puking?

[JoeDetweiler]

One year, shortly before Thanksgiving, the lab fridge which was storing the company’s bonus turkeys was accidentally turned off over the weekend. That’s all it takes.

And I got the job of cleaning it. But at least I was smart enough to wheel it out to the parking lot and clean it with a hose.

[armymarinemom]

Beyond the Phenergan, I have no idea why someone couldn't have suggested Big Red chewing gum. I used to chew Big Red before circulating on a gangrene case.

[mamelukesabre]

What’s the point? You might as well give them a pretty flower to smell and a lolipop and a balloon.

Same effect ain’t it?

[armymarinemom]

Not really. Flowers don’t overwhelm anything. Much like your sense of humor.

[freedomlover]

Phenergan for puking?

---

They give it for nausea, at least they did for me.
I didn't feel nausea then, I just slept for a friggin week.

[armymarinemom]

Yes for puking.

[thecodont]

I’ve seen some nasty refrigerators before, but that must have been REALLY bad!

The fumes were from what was used to clean the nasty 'fridge, "after an employee trying to clean a refrigerator filled with rotting food mixed two chemicals, releasing noxious fumes, authorities said." Probably mixed ammonia and chlorine.

ll-fated fridge cleanup sickens 28 in San Jose

[BunnySlippers]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-05-12-office-fridge_N.htm?csp=34

[smokingfrog]

The old ammonium dysterate trick, eh?

[gogogodzilla]

This is why our medical insurance costs are so d@mn high!

That people go to the emergency room because rotting food smells bad.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

This is why our medical insurance costs are so d@mn high!

That people go to the emergency room because rotting food smells bad.

No, they went to the emergency room because our public schools failed to teach someone in either chemistry or home economics that mixing bleach and ammonia produces chlorine gas.

[exDemMom]

The fumes were from what was used to clean the nasty 'fridge, "after an employee trying to clean a refrigerator filled with rotting food mixed two chemicals, releasing noxious fumes, authorities said." Probably mixed ammonia and chlorine.

Then it doesn't make sense that the cleaning lady didn't have to go to the hospital, whether she can smell or not. Toxic gases aren't toxic because of their smell; they have a biological effect.