Four fast food workers hospitalized after carbon dioxide exposure in Troy
Four fast food employees in Troy are recovering after a city official said they were exposed to carbon dioxide on the job.
TROY, Texas — Four fast food employees in Troy are recovering after a city official said they were exposed to carbon dioxide on the job.
It happened around 5 p.m. Tuesday at the McDonald’s inside the Love’s Travel Center in Troy, just off of I-35. Troy Fire and Temple EMS responded to the scene.
According to the incident report, the employees called 911 saying they were feeling sick. A viewer sent KWTX video from last night saying he saw people passing out in the recording.
Workers taken to hospital
Temple EMS treated workers on scene, then took three to the hospital by ambulance and one by medical helicopter to Baylor Scott and White.
In the incident report, employees reported the CO2 alarm sounded and was showing a reading of 1,760 parts per million. According to the CDC and OSHA websites, that reading falls into the “unhealthy” range, which can cause headaches, fatigue and trouble concentrating with prolonged exposure. CO2 is used in soda systems to create the fizz in carbonated drinks.
According to the incident report, as a precautionary measure, the fire department shut down the drink system, saying it will be evaluated by the restaurant’s management.
KWTX reached out to McDonald’s for comment but has not heard back.
Restaurant remains open
An administrator at Troy City Hall said the restaurant must show there are no issues with the system before it can sell fountain drinks again. The restaurant and truck stop remain open and operating.
The Bell County Health District said it is aware of the incident. The district said there was another incident June 22 at the same location, confirmed as a CO2 leak, which was determined not to be a food or safety violation. It was recommended then that the restaurant have air quality monitoring for CO2 and provide training for staff.
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