7 Harvard food, beverage plant workers hospitalized after acid spill reported in McHenry County

Cause of hazmat incident still under investigation, Harvard fire officials said

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
7 NW suburban plant workers hospitalized after acid spill reported
Multiple fire departments and ambulances from surrounding suburbs assisted at the scene after workers began feeling sick.

HARVARD, Ill. (WLS) -- Seven employees at a food and beverage plant in northwest suburban Harvard had to be hospitalized Tuesday night after an acid spill was reported.

Harvard fire officials said the spill was reported about 10:10 p.m. at the Dean Foods plant, located at 6303 Maxon Road.

Multiple fire departments and ambulances from surrounding suburbs assisted at the scene after workers began feeling sick.

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The seven employees were taken to four hospitals in Harvard, McHenry and Huntley, but none of the injuries were considered life-threatening, fire officials said.

The building was ventilated and the hazmat was contained to the building. An onsite supervisor said the plant is back to normal operations.

Harvard fire officials later said some chemicals were combined in an effort to clean up a small spill, which resulted in several workers feeling ill.