In the U.S., toxic fumes at a cheese factory injured 20 people

In the state of New Mexico in the United States, 20 people were affected by toxic fumes at a cheese factory. This was reported by the Assosiated Press (AP) agency on December 31.

It is specified that the incident occurred on December 30 in Curry County at the plant of Southwest Cheese. All of the injured were taken to hospitals, two of them are in critical condition.

According to the preliminary investigation, the cause of the incident was a chemical overflow due to a mechanical problem in one of the plant's rooms.

The plant area was promptly shut down in accordance with the incident response plan. The fire department's hazardous materials team helped clear the scene of toxic vapors, and production resumed the same day.

Earlier on October 31, an explosion occurred at a lithium-ion battery recycling plant in the U.S. state of Missouri. Authorities issued evacuation orders in a Fredericktown neighborhood. Local residents of other neighborhoods were advised to shelter indoors.