Monterey Apple Store evacuated after handling contaminated package
The Del Monte Apple Store in Monterey, Calif., was evacuated on Wednesday after a dozen people in the store were nauseated by a chemical-contaminated package delivered by FedEx.
Around 12:50 p.m. Pacific, several workers from the Apple Store went to pick up a delivery near a Macy's Furniture Gallery, Monterey Fire Chief Gaundenz Panholzer told the Monterey Herald. The smell from the package soon began to make people feel sick, and four people -- primarily Apple workers -- were hospitalized. The Apple Store was closed and evacuated, but only as a precaution.
Once it was determined to be dangerous, the package was dropped into a dumpster near a P.F. Chang's. The restaurant's patio was closed, but the inside remained open. The parking lot near the Macy's Furniture Gallery was also blocked off.
Panholzer said that the package was ultimately found to have been contaminated by a clear liquid, organic peroxide, used by a regional FedEx distribution center. The chemical is a disinfectant and can be toxic in higher concentrations. In this incident, no one is thought to have become sick because of direct contact.
In a statement, FedEx said it was "cooperating with authorities" looking into the cause of the contamination. Panholzer noted that the truck that carried the Apple package made three more deliveries in Monterey before it could be stopped, although no other packages appear to have been splashed with organic peroxide.
Around 12:50 p.m. Pacific, several workers from the Apple Store went to pick up a delivery near a Macy's Furniture Gallery, Monterey Fire Chief Gaundenz Panholzer told the Monterey Herald. The smell from the package soon began to make people feel sick, and four people -- primarily Apple workers -- were hospitalized. The Apple Store was closed and evacuated, but only as a precaution.
Once it was determined to be dangerous, the package was dropped into a dumpster near a P.F. Chang's. The restaurant's patio was closed, but the inside remained open. The parking lot near the Macy's Furniture Gallery was also blocked off.
Panholzer said that the package was ultimately found to have been contaminated by a clear liquid, organic peroxide, used by a regional FedEx distribution center. The chemical is a disinfectant and can be toxic in higher concentrations. In this incident, no one is thought to have become sick because of direct contact.
In a statement, FedEx said it was "cooperating with authorities" looking into the cause of the contamination. Panholzer noted that the truck that carried the Apple package made three more deliveries in Monterey before it could be stopped, although no other packages appear to have been splashed with organic peroxide.
Comments
I'm confused; why would they have to go pick up a FedEx delivery?
I'm confused; why would they have to go pick up a FedEx delivery?
Stores and malls don't like delivery people and other workers getting in the way of customers and cluttering up the aisles. Deliveries are made to a loading dock then the uniformed store employees are responsible for getting packages where it needs to go.
This is a perfect example of information overload. At best, this is nothing more than a local news story, but because it was a package addressed it an Apple store, it is national news??? If this package had been destibed for the local Williams and Sonoma nobody outside the mall would have ever heard about it.
But why wasn't the driver affected by it? Or those that packed the truck? Or when it was delivered?
Sadly your probably correct. Anything with 'Apple' that is remotely bad news is prime click bait. It's a shame the good and positive don't seem to attract the same attention. I guess, given this is only true as Apple is the most successful company on Earth we shouldn't complain.
But why wasn't the driver affected by it? Or those that packed the truck? Or when it was delivered?
Immunity. They don't have delicate sensibilities like sheltered shopping mall clerks.
The example he gave was simply illustrative of 'a store you know no one else does', try substituting one and re read.
Sounds pretty nasty.
No, its not. It is quite harmless. It the equivalent of a bleach like substance. It may give off a smell but its biggest hazard is in combination with other chemicals to form combustion products. Every one of us has likely used "organic peroxides"... They are used for skin care and wound disinfectants. people may have smelled something, but thats about it.. Sounds like some workers wanted a day off.....
This is a perfect example of information overload. At best, this is nothing more than a local news story, but because it was a package addressed it an Apple store, it is national news??? If this package had been destibed for the local Williams and Sonoma nobody outside the mall would have ever heard about it.
It would have been news if it was a Federal department as well, or any other well-known business.
Never even heard of Williams and Sonoma. No one would hear about it because no one would care.
What color is the sky in your world?