AppleInsider Staff
Five people are receiving medical treatment after being exposed to a chlorine leak at Apple's data center in Maiden, North Carolina on Monday, reports say.
Catawba Fire and Rescue dispatchers sent out multiple first responder units, including a hazmat team, to Apple's facility after receiving reports of a chlorine leak at around 2:30 p.m. EDT, reports The Charlotte Observer.
The cause and extent of the leak is unknown as authorities have yet to release additional information regarding the matter.
It is also unclear if those injured suffered from chlorine inhalation or physical exposure to a non-gaseous form of the chemical. Chlorine has a variety of industrial applications and was perhaps used in Apple's on-site cooling system to inhibit growth of fouling microorganisms.
Today's news comes less than one week after a large blaze was reported at Apple's Mesa, Ariz. facility. The fire was confined to the building's roof where it destroyed a number of solar panels.
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16 Comments
Anyone know why they would store Chlorine at a data center?
[quote name="mstone" url="/t/186521/chlorine-leaks-leaves-five-injured-at-apples-north-carolina-data-center#post_2729565"]Anyone know why they would store Chlorine at a data center? [/quote] Easy. That's for gassing Samsung paratroopers if they make it to the second line of defence. Last week they had to use the flamethrowers, it seems... That's a joke, ok?
[quote name="mstone" url="/t/186521/chlorine-leaks-leaves-five-injured-at-apples-north-carolina-data-center#post_2729565"]Anyone know why they would store Chlorine at a data center? [/quote] The swimming pool? ;) Hope the folks are ok, it's nasty stuff.
Anyone know why they would store Chlorine at a data center?
Chlorine gas is used in both water and wastewater treatment plants. Perhaps this location has one or both. There are two large tanks behind the facility along with an evaporation pond between the main structure and the electrical substation. I'd imagine they use chlorine gas to treat their own water.
Chlorine is routinely used in cooling towers, yes, just like large swimming pools. A shot of gas now and then keeps the bugs (microorganisms) away. Those servers put out a lot of BTUs.
John
formerly in the water treatment business