Canada - Mystery illness strikes postal workers

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010 ... 17926.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EDMONTON - Canada Post workers -- some vomiting, others with burning eyes and throats -- were evacuated from a south-side office building Thursday morning.

Five were sent to hospital after a second bout of sickness in the building later in the day.

But the fire department's air quality tests found nothing wrong.

"It's really a strange one," said Teresa Williams, spokeswoman for Canada Post.

Emergency crews were called in after a number of employees at the 99 Street and 36 Avenue sorting station reported feeling sick, said Tim Wilson, Edmonton Fire Rescue spokesman.

A strange odour was reported by employees inside, said Williams. There were no strange powders or suspicious packages reported.

Between 15 and 20 employees were examined by medics and released at the scene, she said.

Dozens of employees huddled in the parking lot while firefighters tested the air inside the building.

"They're feeling a bit better now that they're out in the fresh air," Williams said at the time.

Fire crews determined the building was safe and employees returned to the office about 90 minutes after being evacuated, said Wilson.

Shortly after resuming work, some employees again reported feeling sickly, said Williams.

A supervisor and four employees were taken to hospital "just in case," said Williams.

Fire crews returned while workers remained inside. Again air was tested, and again no safety risk to workers was found.

All five hospitalized employees worked in or around one supervisor office, which has now been isolated, said Williams.

The cause of the illnesses remained a mystery by Thursday evening.

Firefighters are not considering the case suspicious, said Wilson.

Canada Post has hired a private air testing firm to examine the building.

"It's something we need to do for the comfort level of our employees, if nothing else," she said.

This is the first time in at least two decades that a Canada Post in Edmonton has faced a critical health threat to employees, said Williams.

Mail to some Edmonton addresses was not delivered Thursday because of the evacuation, she said. That mail will be delivered Friday.

[clashcityrocker]

Mass hysteria?
Or MissingMoya Syndrome?

[dazzlin72]

The stench may travel across the pond to affect offices up and down the country here!