Once trabajadores resultaron heridos en una fuga química en la planta POM Wonderful de Del Rey.

Peracetic Acid Leak at POM Wonderful’s Del Rey Plant Sends 11 Workers to the Hospital After 58 Needed Medical Evaluation

DEL REY, CALIFORNIA (11 de noviembre, 2026) – Eleven workers were taken to the hospital after being injured in a chemical leak at the POM Wonderful plant in Del Rey.

Fresno County officials are saying that the leak was reported around 4:15 p.m. on Sunday. Workers at the plant near South Del Rey and South Smiley avenues were on the job when a cleaning solution called BioSide, a 15% peracetic acid product, began leaking from a transfer line running from a chemical tote outside the building, Según ABC30.

In a report filed with the state, the company said about a gallon escaped through a pinhole-size opening onto wet asphalt, and the fumes became airborne. Employees who walked through the area described trouble breathing and feeling lightheaded, and about 150 workers were evacuated from two buildings as firefighters were called to the scene.

Fresno County Fire Department crews evaluated 58 patients, and 11 of those workers were taken to the hospital. Their conditions have not been released.

POM told the state it believes wear and tear on the transfer line caused the leak, though that has not been confirmed. The line has since been repaired, and workers returned Sunday night after firefighters tested the air.

The company’s state report listed the leak at 2:30 p.m., while firefighters placed the incident around 4:15 p.m., a gap that may raise questions about when workers were first exposed and how quickly they were told to leave. Peracetic acid is a strong irritant to the eyes, skin, and airways, yet the Instituto Nacional para la Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional has noted there is no OSHA permissible exposure limit for the chemical.

Families may also want to know how often transfer lines at the plant were inspected, and whether employees were trained on what to do if a sanitizer line failed.

Liability for Del Rey Chemical Leaks

De california Hazard Communication standard requires that workers be informed about the chemicals around them through labels, safety data sheets, and training. When an employee is hurt on the job, Sección 3602 del Código Laboral generally makes workers’ compensation the exclusive remedy against the employer. That rule does not shield outside companies whose negligence or defective products contribute to an injury. Manufacturers, chemical suppliers, equipment makers, and maintenance contractors may face civil claims under Artículo 1714 del Código Civil, which holds everyone responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care. Responsibility usually turns on a few recurring issues.

• Comunicación peligrosa: Employers must keep safety data sheets available and train workers on the health hazards of chemicals in their work areas.
• Mantenimiento de equipo: Hoses, transfer lines, fittings, and storage totes wear out and should be inspected and replaced before they fail.
• Product Warnings: Chemical manufacturers and suppliers generally must warn users about hazards that are not obvious, including the danger of inhaling vapors.
• Respuesta de emergencia: Facilities storing hazardous materials are expected to have plans for detecting spills, alerting workers, and clearing affected areas quickly.
• Informe de derrames: California businesses must report hazardous material releases to the state, and those reports can show when a leak began.

Courts have also shaped how far a supplier’s duty to warn extends. In Johnson v. American Standard, Inc. (2008), the California Supreme Court considered claims by a trained HVAC technician who developed lung disease after brazing refrigerant lines, a process he said released toxic phosgene gas. The court recognized that suppliers generally owe a duty to warn about inherent hazards, but adopted the sophisticated user defense, holding that no warning is owed for dangers a trained professional knew or should have known. Under that rule, what a worker was trained on can decide a failure-to-warn claim. For line workers who are not chemical specialists, the general duty to warn remains a central source of accountability.

Recognizing the Effects of Chemical Inhalation at Work

Peracetic acid is widely used as a sanitizer in food and beverage processing because it breaks down quickly, but its vapors can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. In a health hazard evaluation published in February 2026, NIOSH found that almost half of the employees it surveyed at a beverage plant reported at least one work-related symptom consistent with peracetic acid exposure over the prior four weeks. The most common complaints were eye and nasal irritation, but workers also described coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. A few practical steps after any exposure can protect both a worker’s health and the record of what happened.

• Evaluación médica: Anyone who breathed chemical fumes should be checked by a doctor, even if symptoms seem minor.
• Symptom Records: Writing down symptoms and when they started helps doctors and creates a reliable record.
• Informes escritos: Workers should report the exposure to a supervisor in writing so it is documented.
• Datos de seguridad: Employees have the right to request the safety data sheet for any chemical they were exposed to.
• Witness Names: Coworkers who saw the release or felt symptoms can later help confirm what happened.

Chemical exposures can seem minor once the air clears, but the effects on workers’ lungs and eyes deserve serious attention. Employers are expected to monitor exposures, maintain equipment, and train employees on the sanitizers they use. When those safeguards fail, injured workers have the right to medical care through workers’ compensation and may also have claims against outside parties whose products or services contributed to the harm. Holding every responsible party accountable makes these workplaces safer for everyone.

Investigating Chemical Leaks in Del Rey

Nosotros, en Ley Feher wish a full and speedy recovery to the workers hurt at POM Wonderful’s Del Rey plant. We hope the cause of the leak is fully identified and that changes are made to protect workers from similar releases. Chemical releases inside busy food processing plants raise serious concerns about worker safety. How long were workers breathing the fumes before the buildings were cleared?

Have you or a loved one been hurt by a chemical leak or toxic exposure at a workplace in Del Rey or elsewhere in Fresno County? Injured workers may be entitled to compensation for medical care, lost wages, and the disruption an exposure brings to daily life, and some claims reach beyond workers’ compensation. The company that runs a facility usually controls the maintenance logs, spill reports, and internal records that show when a problem began and how it was handled. Our team of safety advocates and accident investigators can help you understand what happened, from equipment inspection histories and chemical safety data to coworker accounts of when the fumes were first noticed. If you have questions about your rights or would like a free, independent investigation, we’re available anytime at (424) 433-4412.