A carbon monoxide (CO) exposure in Australia's Derrimut has resulted in a major evacuation mission and the hospitalisation of 21 people, reports said. The leak was reported at a pork processing plant at Derrimut in Melbourne's west, Australian media reports said.
The first responders had to apply oxygen therapy until paramedics reached the factory on Benn Court in Derrimut about 12:45 pm local time. Most people were evacuated after fire and rescue personnel arrived prepared, news reports said. Advanced life support and intensive care ambulances were needed for shifting the affected safely.
Western Health Sunshine, Western Health Footscray, The Royal Melbourne and Werribee Mercy hospitals were recognised as the medical institutions to which the 21 victims were rushed. All 21 of them are said to be stable, Australia's 9 News confirmed. The scene was secured by the firefighters donning breathing apparatus with gas detectors, who found the carbon monoxide levels at ground zero to be "dangerously high," the report added.
A glitch within the meat preservation machinery was found to have caused the leak, which took less than an hour to be sealed. Proper ventilation was ensured to bring down the toxicity levels and WorkSafe inspectors were at the scene, media reports said.
Understanding carbon monoxide poisoning
Exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to death as the odourless, colourless gas can prevent the blood from carrying oxygen. This condition is called carbon monoxide poisoning.
When inhaled, CO rapidly enters the bloodstream of a person and binds to the haemoglobin in red blood cells. It binds about 200–300 times more strongly than oxygen does, forming carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb). COHb formation leads to the effective blocking of haemoglobin from picking up and transporting oxygen to vital organs like the brain and heart. This causes asphyxiation even if the individual is breathing normal amounts of oxygen.