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On Oct. 5, firefighters responding to a fire at the Environmental Quality (EQ) Industrial Services facility saw and smelled what appeared to be a cloud of gas. Thirteen emergency responders were hospitalized because of their exposure to harmful chemicals. All were treated and released.
However, according to the state, it was a week later before EQ officials could provide a list of all the chemicals stored at the facility on the day of the fire.
In the wake of the fire, Gov. Mike Easley created the Hazardous Materials Task Force. Its goals are to examine current regulations at hazardous storage facilities like EQ and recommend changes to tighten the rules, including new legislation if necessary.
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