Crime & Safety

Hazmat Teams Investigate Potentially Dangerous Substance in Sumner Industrial District

A worker at Northwest Healthcare Linen in Sumner reported getting sick after coming into contact with linens picked up from a local hospital on Dec. 13, creating a potentially dangerous unknown substance situation.

A worker from Sumner’s Northwest Healthcare Linen reportedly became ill after coming into contact with linens collected from St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, according to East Pierce Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Jim Jaques. The office building at 3107 142nd Ave., plus some surrounding businesses, were shut down most of the afternoon on Dec. 13 while crews investigated.

"Something was found in the linens and we're not sure yet what it is," said Jaques. "The Department of Ecology now has the substance in their possession and they will handle the investigation."

The employee picked up the linens from St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood and there were mop heads contained inside them, said Jaques. The man became ill after coming in contact with the items, took them outside and called 911. He was the only employee in the building at the time. The man was taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

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Pierce County’s Hazardous Materials Incident Team (HIT) and the Department of Ecology also responded to the call.

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