Officers Evaluated After Haz-Mat Incident in Albert Lea

Albert Lea, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Rochester Fire Department is reporting that three law enforcement officers were transported to an Albert Lea hospital to be evaluated for possible exposure to dangerous chemical vapors yesterday.

Members of the Rochester Chemical Assessment Team were dispatched to assist the Albert Lea Fire and Police Departments in their response to a truck with a malfunctioning refrigeration until. A news release indicates the truck was transporting a product containing Styrene, which will cure and produce dangerous vapors if it is not kept cool.

The truck was isolated the immediate area was evacuated while a private company with experience handling the product connected an auxiliary cooling unit and the Rochester Fire Department monitored the air quality. Officials say some vapors were detected, but the levels were low enough they did not appear to pose an immediate threat.

After the situation was stabilized, the truck was moved to a safer location to where the refrigeration unit was repaired. Officials have said whether the law officers possibly exposed to the vapors suffered any harm.

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