SUNNYSIDE, Wash.-UPDATE. JUNE 7. The conditions that led six construction workers to go to Astria Sunnyside Hospital believing they may have been exposed to radiation on May 26 is now known.
The six construction workers suffered from exposure to noxious fumes, not radiation, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
The workers were reportedly cutting and welding pipe in an area that was not well ventilated at Palouse Ranches in the Prosser/Sunnyside area.
According to the DOH, medical staff determined that the illness was noxious fume exposure and not from naturally occurring radioactive scale in the pipes.
Original Coverage
No harmful levels of hazardous material were detected in potential patients at Astria Sunnyside Hospital on May 26.
Six individuals came to the hospital believing they may have potentially been exposed to radiation at a construction site in Benton County and the hospital notified the Sunnyside Fire Department around 1:20 p.m.
According to the Sunnyside Fire Department, the patients were isolated in the parking lot away from the hospital and the situation was treated as an Hazmat situation.
Sunnyside Police cordoned off the area to limit any possible exposure to hazardous materials and Sunnyside FD’s Hazmat unit investigated the possible radiation exposure and nearby residents were advised to remain indoors.
All responses taken by Sunnyside police and fire, Yakima County Emergency Management, the Department of Health and the State Patrol were precautionary in measure, according to Sunnyside Fire.
There is currently no indication that any unsafe materials made it into the hospital or the surrounding community and the hospital reopened shortly after 5 p.m. on May 26 and continues to operate normally.
MAY 26. 4:20 p.m.
According to Trooper Thorson from the Washington State Patrol (WSP), the WSP Bomb Squad was dispatched from Pasco late Sunday afternoon. They tested the two construction workers who believed they were exposed to radiation.
The radiation test results were negative for both workers.
The WSP says there is no threat to the public. Additionally, the bomb squad will test suspected radiation site.
This is a developing story, which means information could change. We are working to report timely and accurate information as we get it.
UPDATE: 3:26 P.M.
Sunnyside Police have confirmed they are blocking off the Sunnyside Hospital area from Franklin Ave to East Edison Ave to continue decontamination efforts.
Officials are asking the public to avoid the area.
Original Coverage:
Officials have asked the public to avoid the Sunnyside Community Hospital area.
According to the Sunnyside Police Department, construction workers arrived at the Sunnyside Hospital and reported radiation exposure from a construction site out of town. The hospital is decontaminating the emergency room and patients.
Police ask the public to divert from the hospital and avoid the area for safety.
