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13 Hospitalized, 63 Evaluated in Caledonia Hazmat Response

Posted at 5:02 AM, Apr 17, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-17 18:06:39-04

CALEDONIA, Mich. – Emergency Responders say more than a dozen people have been hospitalized, and more than 60 people are being evaluated following a hazmat situation at a Caledonia business on Tuesday evening.

Crews were sent to Aspen Surgical Products near 68th Street and Broadmoor Avenue around 10:00 p.m.

Of the 13 who were hospitalized, 2 were said to be in serious condition, 11 more in stable condition.  All victims were experiencing respiratory issues and were transported to Spectrum Hospital.  All 13 patients that were transported were alert and conscious.  By 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, all patients had been released from the hospital.

Hazmat crews are testing the facility to find a source of the problem, but an official cause has not been released.  It’s believed it must have been a combination of chemicals that reached dangerous levels for workers because crews were unable to find a specific toxin through their testing.

The search lasted more than an hour and a half to make sure all employees were accounted for.  An Aspen Surgical Representative was on the scene but declined to comment.

According to Aspen Surgical Products website, the company makes medical products.

(FOX17’s Ann Marie LaFlamme contributed to this report)