Chemical leaking from package sends postal workers to hospital

(File photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)



KENT -- Two postal workers were taken to the hospital after coming into contact with a leaking package at a Kent distribution center.

Officials said the workers started coughing early Friday morning. They had come into contact with liquid on the outside of a package.

Firefighters and the Hazardous Material Response Team were called to the postal facility on the 248000 block of Meeker Street.

The team discovered the leaking chemical came from a different package and located it.

Officials say it will take some time to analyze the material. They did say it was not explosive or radioactive.

The contaminated packages were sealed and turned over to postal investigators to track the source.

The two workers are being treated for breathing problems.