Leak forces evacuation at Mosaic’s Uncle Sam plant

Uncle Sam, La. — Officials said no serious injuries resulted from a leak of sulfur dioxide Aug. 14 at The Mosaic Co.’s Uncle Sam plant on the Mississippi River in Louisiana. Company spokesman David Townsend said nine people – a combination of employees and contract workers – were treated for nausea and other symptoms following the episode, but none were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Townsend said that at about 10:15 a.m., a blower at the sulfur plant malfunctioned and an unknown quantity of sulfur dioxide was released. He said about 200 employees and others at the plant were told to shelter in place. There was no evacuation of nearby residents or road closures, but as a precaution all workers at the plant were sent home for the day.