SPRINGDALE, Ark. – As of the morning of June 30, eight Tyson Foods employees remained hospitalized and there were no longer any employees in intensive care following a June 27 chlorine gas leak at a chicken processing plant in Springdale, Ark., on June 27, according to Gary Mickelson, Tyson spokesman. The leak caused about 170 workers to seek medical treatment for breathing problems and other symptoms.

“We are hopeful additional team members will be released today,” he added. “Our team members are the most important part of our business, so we’re doing everything possible to help them through this difficult time.”


Tyson has set up a temporary medical clinic at the plant this week, staffed by a physician, to do follow-up evaluations with affected team members. The company also brought in additional human resources staff and chaplains to assist affected team members and their families.

What caused Monday’s accident remains under investigation. “We’re working cooperatively with federal officials,” Mickelson said. “Our company is also reviewing the accident so an unfortunate event like this can be prevented in the future.”