14 hospitalized with breathing issues after exposure at Caldwell County recycling facility

LENOIR, N.C. (WBTV) - Fourteen people were hospitalized with breathing problems Monday after being exposed to an unknown substance at a Caldwell County recycling facility.

The situation unfolded Monday, Nov. 9, at Prime Recycling on Watson Street in Lenoir.

Fire officials said workers began having breathing problems after they were exposed to a white, powdery substance while opening boxes at the facility. Public Safety officials examined 22 people at the facility, and 14 were taken to UNC Caldwell for further evaluation.

Prime Recycling handles a large volume of returns and unwanted merchandise.

“It’s one of those we don’t want to see anybody hurt. And I’m sure they’ll have changes to their plant process about opening boxes,” said an official with the Lenoir Fire Department. “But the big thing is, hopefully nobody has any lasting effects from whatever they were exposed to.”

--> Also read: ‘We sincerely apologize’: Technology issue impacts payroll for Novant Health employees

An urgent care clinic in Burke County was also placed on lockdown after an employee went there for treatment. Everyone exposed is expected to be OK.

Officials are working to identify the white substance.