29 People Treated After Gas Leak At Mosaic

By The Tampa Tribune
Published: October 18, 2008

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MULBERRY --

Nearly 30 people at a phosphate and mining facility were treated Friday after being exposed to a sulfur dioxide gas leak, Polk County officials said.

Authorities said the call came from Mosaic, 3200 State Road 60 W., at 7:49 a.m. Crews had the leak under control by 9:04 a.m.

After the release of sulfur dioxide that's part of the normal startup operations of a fertilizer plant, the gas stayed as a cloud, exposing 29 people, said Polk County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Jeremiah Gilley.

Mosaic public affairs manager Debbie Burdett said there always is a gas release, but a mixture of cool, heavy air caused the cloud, which normally would dissipate, to hug the ground.

A staff report