Tar Heel, N.C. — More than 2,400 employees of the giant Smithfield Foods Inc. pork processing plant here were evacuated the morning of June 17 after a large hot water tank fell and loosened ammonia pipelines. While the company was reported as saying the leak was minor and quickly contained, local media reported that some employees passed out and between 15-40 were taken to local hospitals or received treatment from emergency responders. After walking one mile to flee the plant, workers were bused back later in the day to retrieve their vehicles. The plant was reportedly slated to reopen June 20. Smithfield had not responded to inquiries by press time.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain