Fumes overcome 5 at Emerson plant in Kennett

Daily Dunklin Democrat

KENNETT, Mo. -- Police said five employees at the Emerson plant in Kennett had been overcome by chemical fumes Wednesday.

He said the hazardous materials team from the Kennett Fire Department had been called to the scene.

"Apparently workers were using an industrial solvent, Xylene, to clean machines or the floor and some of them were exposed too much," said fire chief David Horton.

Emerson officials said the workers were actually using a lacquer thinner to clean the floors when they were overcome.

The employees were taken to the local hospital for evaluation and treatment.