Within the storage zone of a shopping centre, 40 litres of 3 different chemical products used to disinfect swimming pools overflowed inside a compactor. The mix of these incompatible substances caused, around 3:40 pm, a chemical reaction and emission of chlorine (Cl2) that intoxicated 16 of the firm’s employees (throat and eye irritations, vomiting). Examined onsite by first responders, 9 of the victims were hospitalised as a precautionary measure.

When moving the compactor, 50 litres of product spilled on the floor. In noting that the compactor apparently contained a greater volume of substance that what had been declared, especially given the presence of herbicide and denatured alcohol, fire-fighters planned on diluting the contents of the water bin with polluted effluent (resultant liquid) collected in front of the loading platforms, so as to avoid any and all pollution of the RHONE River. A chemical emergency team logged recordings, all of which turned out to be negative. Since the part of the store open to the public had not been affected, no clients were evacuated during and just after this emergency intervention.

Given that the compactor still contained a major quantity of “chlorine tablets”, the dilution of chemical substances was postponed until the following day at 2 pm, upon arrival of the subcontractor assigned to recover polluted aqueous effluent. While awaiting this step, the bin was covered for the night. This intervention sequence was wrapped up by 6:30 pm.

A comparable accident would occur in Auxerre on 16th June, 2008 (ARIA 34766).