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March 28, 2006

Updated: Cicilline asks feds to review cyanide poisoning

PROVIDENCE -- Mayor David N. Cicilline has asked the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to help review the cyanide poisoning recently discovered in several Providence firefighters, Cicilline said at an afternoon press conference.

Last Thursday, doctors at Rhode Island Hospital confirmed that several firefighters tested positive for cyanide poisoning after responding to a fire at El Fogon restaurant on Broad Street.

Although he had not been at the restaurant fire, Kenneth E. Baker, 50, suffered a heart attack while fighting a house fire several hours later. It was the second fire he had responded to during his shift. He also was found to have high levels of cyanide in his system.

It is unclear if the poisoning contributed to the heart attack.

But Cicilline called on the federal agency, also known as NIOSH, to assist a newly appointed, five-member task force to review the facts leading up to the cyanide poisoning. NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injuries.

It will take NIOSH four to six weeks to respond to Cicilline's request, according to the mayor. In the meantime, the fire chief's task force will begin reviewing the poisoning, including an examination of the firefighters' apparatus, equipment and protective clothing.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this item incorrectly indicated that Kenneth Baker had been at the restaurant fire.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:08 PM | Permalink

Comments

THAT'S AMAZING!. The Mayor wants to do something that actually supports his firefighters for once. What's up with that????

Posted by: whocares at March 28, 2006 07:12 PM