More than 100 farm workers in Mason Valley, near Yerington, were exposed to
an agricultural chemical this morning that required medical treatment,
according to a press release from Lyon County Emergency Management.
The farm workers were employed by Peri and Sons of Yerington. Farm personnel
told authorities an adjacent field had been treated with chloropicrin, which
is used to kill fungus that grows in fields. Chloropicrin normally produces
an off-gas that dissipates in the air, but due to an inversion, the off-gas
stayed low to the ground and was breathed by farm workers, according to the
release.
A total of 125 workers were transported to the South Lyon Medical Center for
treatment of watery eyes, runny nose, nausea and difficulty breathing. Two
patients were transported by ambulance, the others by Peri and Sons
transport vehicles.
All patients were treated and released.