Fertilizer, pesticides caused chemical reaction

Three village sanitation workers were sent to the hospital following after a chemical reaction in a garbage truck on March 22. The three were OK and two were back to work the next day.

According to officials, chemicals were unknowingly picked up with household garbage and started giving off noxious fumes and a cloud of smoke as the truck was on Wavecrest Street approaching Horton Avenue. After one of the workers began complaining of respiratory problems, the truck pulled over at about 10:45 a.m. and authorities were called.

A decontamination chamber was set up on Horton Avenue. The Nassau County Haz-Mat unit and fire department cleaned off the workers, who were then transported to Mercy Hospital for observation.

The truck was inspected briefly at the scene, but was taken to the village’s sanitation facility as the garbage was emptied and thoroughly searched by members of the sanitation department and Nassau County Emergency Services Unit.

Village Safety Officer William Grace said that fertilizer and pesticides were found once the truck’s contents were evaluated. “Once they mix, they cause a vapor,” he said.

Highway Superintendent Tim Leahy said that no one appeared to be in any real danger. “It was determined that it was nothing hazardous,” he said.

Three trucks, two ambulances and about 35 members of the Valley Stream Fire Department responded and were on the scene for more than five hours under the command of First Assistant Chief Joseph Fernandez.

Horton Avenue was closed between Sunrise Highway and Woodcrest Street until about 4 p.m. Also responding were ambulances from the Nassau County Police, Elmont, Woodmere and Hewlett fire departments, and the Nassau County Fire Marshall.

Leahy said the situation needed to be treated seriously and the response was justified. “We do have all this equipment at our disposal should something like this happen,” he said.

Fernandez said that the air quality in the neighborhood was tested and no problems were reported.