NJ Walmart Evacuation: New Details On 19 Hospitalizations

DEPTFORD, NJ — A can of bug spray that discharged in Walmart led to fumes that left 19 people in the hospital on Tuesday, the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management said.

At around 4:15 p.m., fumes were reported after what officials later learned was a "Hot Shot" brand aerosol canister that fell from a shelf and landed under a shelving system.

As a result, its cap and spray device were damaged, leading to its unintentional continuous discharge.

Store staff found the empty can under the shelf during an overnight deep clean.

Based on evidence, including store surveillance footage, the intentional destruction of the product by anyone was ruled out.

Along with the 19 people who were taken to area hospitals following on-site EMS evaluation, others took themselves to the Inspira Satellite Emergency Department in Woodbury.

Customers were left with coughs and teary eyes as they left the store.

Walmart, located at 820 Cooper St., was back to normal operations on Wednesday.

According to the product's safety sheet, potential hazards of exposure to the spray include eye irritation, skin irritation, and increasing harm if swallowed or inhaled.

Anyone who swallowed the product should rinse their mouth and be moved to fresh air.

Those who still feel sick should contact a poison control center or their healthcare provider.

Anyone who was at the store and believes they felt the effects of the discharge but did not receive medical attention may want to follow up with a primary healthcare provider.

The Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management added that their team and Hazmat crews have stayed in contact with the emergency departments that took in the patients and that appropriate notifications to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection were made.

Shoppers or employees who were in the store on Tuesday, but not in the area of the product when the discharge was reported, do not need to take further action, officials said.

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