Industrial Accident Report For Radiation Leak In Florida

fema.gov, May 12, 2006

Fire-rescue personnel and area medical personnel geared up for mass casualties when an industrial accident at a Baymeadows manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Florida, prompted concerns of a radiation leak.

The Unison Industries building in the 7500 block of Baymeadows Way was evacuated and police blocked streets in the area.

Unison's director of communications said a cylinder of krypton gas exploded in the facility about 10:45 a.m., but said no radioactive material was released. But when members of the hazardous material team reported picking up radiation inside the building with their Geiger counters, a level 3 alert was declared.

One person was injured in the initial explosion and transported to St. Luke's Hospital, but there was no information about the extent of that person's injuries.

About 500 employees work at Unison's Baymeadows Way facility were evacuated.

About 40 people from the company and about 20 firefighters and rescue personnel who responded to the initial call were going through decontamination procedures.

Officials said the health risk of krypton gas is minimal. Krypton gas is colorless and nontoxic.

"We are not faced with a life-or-death situation here," Jacksonville Fire-Rescue spokesman Tom Francis said on Channel 4 at noon.

Twelve ambulances were called to the scene and Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center prepared for up to 100 patients. It was unclear if anyone other than the initial injury required hospitalization.

Unison's Web site says the company makes aviation parts, with power condition and control units made at the company's Jacksonville facility. The company also makes parts for Tomahawk missiles, although not at the Jacksonville facility.