This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/6904521.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Four treated over toxic gas leak Four treated over toxic gas leak
(about 1 hour later)
An animal incineraton plant has been shut after four people, including a paramedic, suffered breathing difficulties caused by gas inhalation An animal incineraton plant has been shut after four people suffered breathing difficulties caused by "toxic" gas inhalation, police said.
Emergency services were called to the plant in Brechin just before 1000 BST.Emergency services were called to the plant in Brechin just before 1000 BST.
One worker, a 56-year-old man from Brechin, is in a serious condition at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee with severe damage to his lungs. One worker is in a critical condition in Dundee with severe damage to his lungs. Two other men and a female paramedic are also being treated.
Two other men are being treated for irritation to their lungs. A female paramedic was also being treated. Their injuries are thought to be as a result of toxic gas inhalation, possibly hydrogen sulphide.
The men, aged 53 and 34, one from Perth and the other from Brechin, are being treated in Ninewells Hospital's short-stay ward. Tayside Police said one man, a 53-year-old from Brechin who worked at the plant, is still in a critical condition in the High Dependency Unit at Ninewells Hospital.
Three others are still being monitored in the short stay ward within Ninewells Hospital with lung complaints.
They are two men, aged 53 and 34, one from Perth and the other from Brechin, and a female paramedic.
First and foremost in the minds of the operators of Sacone must be the health and wellbeing of the local community and I am very disappointed that this has been compromised North Tayside MSP John SwinneyFirst and foremost in the minds of the operators of Sacone must be the health and wellbeing of the local community and I am very disappointed that this has been compromised North Tayside MSP John Swinney
The paramedic, who treated one of the men at the scene, has also been detained in hospital with irritation to her lungs. The premises, run by Sacone Environmental Ltd, employ 25 full-time staff. The plant operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week processing animal carcasses.
It is believed that their symptoms may have been caused by some form of gas inhalation, possibly hydrogen sulphide. The plant primarily takes animals killed at the Matheson Jess abattoir, situated next to the plant, for gasification.
The animal incineration plant is operated by Sacone Environmental Ltd.
An abbatoir operated by sister company Matheson Jeff Ltd is also on the same site.
In December, the BBC reported that Sacone Environmental Ltd had been criticised by local residents in Brechin who claimed plant was releasing smells which were causing sickness in the local community.In December, the BBC reported that Sacone Environmental Ltd had been criticised by local residents in Brechin who claimed plant was releasing smells which were causing sickness in the local community.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has already issued Sacone Environmental with two enforcement notices - one in June this year and one in June 2006.The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has already issued Sacone Environmental with two enforcement notices - one in June this year and one in June 2006.
A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive told the BBC's news website that the company had volunteered to shut its doors following the incident on Wednesday.A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive told the BBC's news website that the company had volunteered to shut its doors following the incident on Wednesday.
She added that a joint investigation would be carried out between the Health and Safety Executive and Tayside Police.She added that a joint investigation would be carried out between the Health and Safety Executive and Tayside Police.
The plant is expected to remain closed while the investigation is being carried out.The plant is expected to remain closed while the investigation is being carried out.
'Community frustration''Community frustration'
But MSP for North Tayside and Finance Secretary, John Swinney, said he was "deeply concerned" by the latest incident.But MSP for North Tayside and Finance Secretary, John Swinney, said he was "deeply concerned" by the latest incident.
He said: "Throughout the summer of last year close attention was paid to Sacone to ensure that they were heeding the complaints of the local community in Brechin.He said: "Throughout the summer of last year close attention was paid to Sacone to ensure that they were heeding the complaints of the local community in Brechin.
"This attention resulted in a heated public meeting to discuss the matter, with representatives from all the relevant authorities in attendance."This attention resulted in a heated public meeting to discuss the matter, with representatives from all the relevant authorities in attendance.
"It is very frustrating that despite the attention and tense exchanges on the matter that we appear to be in a worse position than last year."It is very frustrating that despite the attention and tense exchanges on the matter that we appear to be in a worse position than last year.
"First and foremost in the minds of the operators of Sacone must be the health and wellbeing of the local community and I am very disappointed that this has been compromised today.""First and foremost in the minds of the operators of Sacone must be the health and wellbeing of the local community and I am very disappointed that this has been compromised today."
Local councillor Mairi Evans added: "The frustration of the local community at this latest event is completely understandable.Local councillor Mairi Evans added: "The frustration of the local community at this latest event is completely understandable.
"We have been continually informed that Sacone are putting in place measures to make the installation secure, yet more incidents repeatedly occur."We have been continually informed that Sacone are putting in place measures to make the installation secure, yet more incidents repeatedly occur.
"I have been liaising with the local community and my colleague John Swinney on this latest incident, and I will ensure pressure is brought to bear upon Sacone to listen to the views of Brechiners.""I have been liaising with the local community and my colleague John Swinney on this latest incident, and I will ensure pressure is brought to bear upon Sacone to listen to the views of Brechiners."