California IN BRIEF : SAN JOSE : Worker Blamed for Toxic Spill at Plant

The discharge of toxic fumes that sent 36 people to the hospital and required the evacuation of a manufacturing plant was blamed on a worker who tried to improperly dispose of hazardous waste in an oven. The Aromat Corp. employee was trying to dry discarded epoxy resin in the oven when the cyanide-laced gaseous discharge occurred, said plant manager Charlie Major, who would not name the worker. Some of the estimated 300 workers who were evacuated complained of lung irritation and breathing problems but walked to ambulances, San Jose Fire Department Capt. Dave Moore said.