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Chemical powder affects workers Chemical powder affects workers
(10 minutes later)
Two men contaminated with chemical powder which leaked from a drum behind some Oxfordshire shops have been taken to hospital, the fire service said.Two men contaminated with chemical powder which leaked from a drum behind some Oxfordshire shops have been taken to hospital, the fire service said.
The cleaners began vomiting, itching and suffering from blistering skin following the incident in Banbury.The cleaners began vomiting, itching and suffering from blistering skin following the incident in Banbury.
They came into contact with a 45 gallon barrel of waste products from the Specsavers Opticians, Bridge Street.They came into contact with a 45 gallon barrel of waste products from the Specsavers Opticians, Bridge Street.
The firm said it was investigating thoroughly with Oxfordshire fire service and Cherwell District Council.The firm said it was investigating thoroughly with Oxfordshire fire service and Cherwell District Council.
"We are aware of the situation and are investigating," a spokesperson for the opticians said."We are aware of the situation and are investigating," a spokesperson for the opticians said.
"Specsavers Opticians treats an incident like this very seriously.""Specsavers Opticians treats an incident like this very seriously."
A cordon remains in place but there is no immediate danger to the public.
The emergency services were alerted at about 0915 GMT on Wednesday.The emergency services were alerted at about 0915 GMT on Wednesday.
We had to ensure that the people of Banbury were as safe as they could be so we threw a cordon around the area Mike Smythe, deputy chief fire officer One was violently ill - vomiting, and the other started to complain of itchy hands Mike Smythe, deputy chief fire officer
Earlier Mike Smythe, deputy chief fire officer for Oxfordshire, told BBC News: "We just had two of our specialist officers in gas-tight suits enter the area, they've made tests of the substance. Earlier Mike Smythe, deputy chief fire officer for Oxfordshire, said: "We just had two of our specialist officers in gas-tight suits enter the area, they've made tests of the substance.
"We are confident, at the moment, that the substance is in fact inert but we do need to finish off those tests results.""We are confident, at the moment, that the substance is in fact inert but we do need to finish off those tests results."
When the fire crews from Banbury arrived at the scene they discovered a small chemical spillage with the cleaning staff showing symptoms.When the fire crews from Banbury arrived at the scene they discovered a small chemical spillage with the cleaning staff showing symptoms.
"One was violently ill - vomiting - and the other started to complain of itchy hands," Mr Smythe said. "One was violently ill - vomiting, and the other started to complain of itchy hands," Mr Smythe said.
Decontamination process Decontamination tent
"The barrel, as we understand it, contains waste products from the manufacturer of lenses for spectacles - basically as they shave the ends off the lenses so that they fit the frame, a quantity of white powder is produced. "The barrel, as we understand it, contains waste products from the manufacturer of lenses for spectacles - basically as they shave the ends off the lenses so that they fit the frame, a quantity of white powder is produced," he added.
The powder is "common with all spectacle manufacturers across the country and that chemical is inert - plastic basically". The powder is "common with all spectacle manufacturers across the country and that chemical is inert - plastic basically," he said.
He said they had to ensure that the people were safe and so threw a cordon around the area to "stop people entering the zone and spreading the contamination further".
The decontamination process was carried out by the Chemical Biological Radioactive and Nuclear Decontamination unit and specialist staff from South Central Ambulance service.
The two men were washed down with warm water in a decontamination tent before their clothing was removed.The two men were washed down with warm water in a decontamination tent before their clothing was removed.
They were then put into sterile white paper suits before being sent to Horton Hospital, a spokeswoman said. They were then put into sterile white paper suits before being sent to Horton Hospital.
The clothing will then be taken away for forensic examination, she added. It is understood the clothing was taken away for forensic examination.