Health dept. clears BD to reopen facility after hazmat scare

Story updated Monday, May 19

NORTH CANAAN — Employees at the Becton, Dickinson and Company facility in North Canaan were evacuated Thursday, May 15, after a hazmat scare.

A package that arrived at the facility was identified as suspicious due to an “unusual address,” Ken LeClerc said, emergency response coordinator for DEEP. Details of the contents of the package have not been released.

Emergency authorities were notified of a potential hazmat incident and several agencies responded, including the FBI, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, state police, area fire departments and ambulances.

About 300 people are going through a decontamination process after a hazardous material exposure at BD. Photo by Riley Klein

The facility was locked down and about 300 employees entered decontamination protocol, requiring them to leave clothing behind and shower before going home.

LeClerc said Thursday, “The package was opened inside the building and what we’re looking at is primarily a potential airborne contaminant.”

“At this time, two individuals have been transported to a nearby hospital as a precaution,” a release from DEEP said Thursday afternoon. “Approximately 300 to 350 personnel at the facility are undergoing a decontamination process as a precautionary measure. DEEP has deployed a contractor to the site to manage the decontamination operation, including shower trailers and the safe collection for clothing for those exiting the facility.”

The FBI transported the package from BD to the state laboratory in Rocky Hill.

State, local and federal officials responded to a "hazmat incident" at the Becton, Dickinson and Company facility in the afternoon Thursday, May 15. Photo by Riley Klein

Friday, May 16, North Canaan First Selectman Brian Ohler released an update stating the CT Department of Public Health “received negative PCR test results for Anthrax, Burkholderia Species, Plague, Tularemia, and Smallpox. In addition to those biological tests, a negative Ricin test result was also confirmed. A Day 1 culture test was then performed, which has also resulted in ‘no growth.’”

Ohler added, “While we are still waiting for an exact identity of the substance, we are being told by state DEEP officials that there is no threat to the public, or to the surrounding area near the facility.” Additional lab results were released on Saturday, which confirmed no culture growth on the sample.

The health department cleared BD to reopen its facility and operations resumed at the medical manufacturing company Sunday.

Details of the FBI investigation have been limited. The agency confirmed that reopening the facility will not interfere with the investigation.