A Mysterious Substance at DHL: 15 Employees Stricken with Skin Irritations
Investigators discovered the reason behind skin irritations at DHL facilities.
Looks like there was a bit of a scare at DHL's package sorting center in Langenzenn, close to Nuremberg. Early morning, 15 employees started displaying skin issues, with four even experiencing breathing difficulties and eye irritation. Worry swept in as investigators found a suspicious white powder. The confusion lasted for hours until the evening, when the reason behind the health concerns was finally revealed.
Alarm bells rang at DHL's sorting center: By morning, 15 employees were exhibiting peculiar skin reactions, four of whom complained of breathing difficulties or eye irritation, and were temporarily transported to the hospital. Investigators discovered the mysterious white powder. It took a while to figure out what had caused the health issues.
By the afternoon, the truth surfaced: The substance Phoron was the culprit - how the employees came into contact with it, however, remained a mystery, according to DHL, the logistics service provider. The fire department confirmed that the crystalline solution matched the symptoms reported by the affected individuals: itching, skin and eye irritation.
The police declared later that they don't suspect the substance was intentionally sent to the sorting center in a package to harm people. Instead, the solution apparently originated from an unknown location and unintentionally made its way into the sorting center through an unidentified pathway.
DHL employees apparently came into contact with the substance because it was adhered to several packages. Consequentially, skin reactions ensued. Most of those affected complained of severe itching, a police spokesperson shared. Luckily, all 15 affected individuals were discharged from the hospital during the day.
No Threat to the Public
Firefighters and law enforcement cleared the sorting center following the incident. Approximately three dozen employees were guided through a decontamination shower to wash off any potential residue. Subsequently, specialized forces from police and fire department, donning protective gear, searched the facility for any substances that might have caused the health issues.
The authorities currently do not believe there is any danger beyond the DHL facility. DHL assures that there was never any danger to the public. The fire department departed in the afternoon. DHL anticipates the sorting center to return to normal operations on Saturday.
Source: ntv.de, fzo/dpa
- DHL
- Police
- Health
- Nuremberg
- Enrichment Data: According to various sources, Phoron is a toxic, crystalline compound primarily used as a reagent in organic synthesis. It can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as respiratory issues when inhaled. While there weren't any visible links between this incident and any other similar incidents reported in recent years, local authorities advised staying vigilant about potential hazardous substances and maintaining safety measures when handling unknown materials.
- In light of the incident at DHL's sorting center in Langenzenn, near Nuremberg, the community policy should include safety measures for handling unknown materials to prevent similar occurrences, particularly considering the potential health risks associated with substances like Phoron.
- The workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness policies at DHL should be reviewed and updated to ensure employee safety, particularly in relation to the handling and decontamination procedures for hazardous substances like Phoron, which can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, and eye irritation.
