Cause of sickening of 22 Illinois prison workers still a mystery after testing rules out drugs

An investigation into what precipitated 22 Illinois jail workers staff to be despatched to hospitals after experiencing dizziness, nausea and vomiting whereas responding to an inmate “medical incident” has dominated out “narcotics or hazardous supplies,” an official says. 

An Illinois State Police hazardous supplies group responded Wednesday afternoon to the John A. Graham Correctional Heart in Hillsboro, 65 miles northeast of St. Louis. The jail workers grew to become sick, some violently, once they got here close to the affected inmates, mentioned Anders Lindall of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Workers Council 31, an worker union. 

“Illinois State Police performed preliminary exams on suspicious substances discovered on web site and the exams got here again NEGATIVE for narcotics or hazardous supplies,” Illinois Division of Corrections spokesperson Naomi Puzzello advised Fox Information Digital in a press release. 

Puzzello mentioned a nasal spray and powder had been recovered from the ability and state police was testing clothes on Thursday. 

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“The substances had been recognized as nonhazardous and mustn’t have necessitated the usage of Narcan or required hospitalization, however IDOC works diligently to make sure the protection of each incarcerated people and workers and labored swiftly to make sure everybody had entry to the care they requested,” she added. 

Lindall advised The Related Press that 22 workers members had been handled at 4 space hospitals. 

Puzzello mentioned three inmates acquired remedy on the jail’s well being care unit and “some workers reported feeling dizzy and in an abundance of warning had been transported to the hospital for commentary and remedy.  

“Everybody concerned on this incident has been discharged from the hospital,” she mentioned in her assertion. 

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This picture reveals an aerial view of John A. Graham Correctional Heart in Hillsboro, Illinois. 
(Google Maps)

FOX 2 St. Louis described the state of affairs as a possible “mass overdose” between inmates, citing one regulation enforcement official who advised the station a name went out between native companies for NARCAN to be rushed to the jail. 

Preliminary exams discovered that the nasal spray contained acetaminophen, Puzzello additionally mentioned. It’s a widespread ache reliever which can trigger drowsiness and dizziness. 

The powder was widespread child powder containing aluminum phosphate, which can be utilized in dental cements, cosmetics, paints, paper and prescribed drugs. It might irritate the nostril, throat and lungs. 

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The powder additionally contained ethylpyrrole, which the U.S. Occupational Security and Hazard Administration labels as a hazard to the respiratory system. 

And it had benzene, which is dangerous to the eyes, pores and skin, airway, nervous system and lungs, in accordance with OSHA. 

Fox Information’ Danielle Wallace and The Related Press contributed to this report.