12 Hurt as Toxic Gas Forces 5,000 to Flee
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CLARKSDALE, Miss. — A fire at a pesticide plant ignited explosions and blew a cloud of toxic fumes through the city Tuesday, injuring 12 people and sending 5,000 residents fleeing into the streets before firefighters doused the blaze.
Red Panther Chemical Co. spokesman Cliff Porterfield said the chemical was Lorox, which he described as a “moderately toxic chemical” that is “one of the safest compounds that we have.”
But officials of the Environmental Protection Agency said the main ingredient of Lorox, the chemical linuron, has been shown to cause tumors in laboratory rats, and aerial spraying of the herbicide has been banned since Dec. 5, 1985.
The evacuated residents were allowed to return home at midday.
Five of the injured were hospitalized in satisfactory condition. The others were treated and released.
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