1 dead, 14 injured in (possible) chem release in AR

DHS reports a possible poisoning at the Great Lakes Chemical Company in El Dorado, AR. One employee has died and fourteen others became sick on Thursday. The one fatality became paralyzed during a staff meeting around 0700 local time yesterday and was transported to the hospital. At the emergency room the employee reportedly went into convulsions.The cause of this incident is under investigation. Company officials report there was no known chemical release at the facility. Local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency are on scene investigating and monitoring the air. Nothing has been detected. The Great Lakes Chemical facility is a chemical processing plant that specializes in producing flame retardants and employs about 350 personnel. The principal chemical handled at the facility is bromine. The Washington Region Poison Control Center advises bromine exposure by inhalation or ingestion will cause eye irritation, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Paralysis and convulsions are not usual symptoms of exposure.