Chicago Daily Herald
ELGIN, Ill. — Fire officials are investigating the cause of a carbon monoxide leak that sent 38 people from an Elgin business park to hospitals Friday afternoon.
A tenant at the Elgin-O’Hare Commerce Center, 1190 S. St. Charles St., alerted authorities to a number of people feeling ill and one person passed out just after 2 p.m. Friday.
Workers were complaining of headaches, dizziness and shortness of breath — all symptoms consistent with carbon monoxide exposure, according to a news release from the South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District.
Patients were sent to Sherman and St. Joseph hospitals in Elgin, Delnor in Geneva, St. Alexius in Hoffman Estates, and Central DuPage in Winfield.
Officials said the illnesses did not appear to be life-threatening, and most of the patients were expected to be released. Sherman Hospital reported it would be admitting four patients overnight.
“I have a headache but I’m OK. A lot of people had headaches,” said one employee, Nicole Calabrese, who works at Dovenmuehle Mortgage.
A total of 40 people were evaluated on scene, authorities said.
The source of the leak is believed to be two propane gas-powered forklifts. Crews found elevated levels of carbon monoxide throughout the complex, but the highest level, a 309 ppm reading, was found in the portion of the building at 1180 S. St. Charles St., according to fire officials.
The maximum recommended exposure limit for carbon monoxide is 35 ppm during an eight-hour period, officials said.
Fire investigators ventilated the building, then turned on the forklifts and noted high carbon monoxide readings again.
The commerce center was fully evacuated after emergency crews arrived, according to Kim Wascher, the fire district’s spokeswoman.
Emergency crews from 13 jurisdictions responded to the call.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been advised of the carbon monoxide outbreak, officials said.
Copyright 2011 Paddock Publications, Inc.