Thirteen people were taken to the hospital Tuesday after a chemical leak at a Greenville County business.

Authorities say a worker at Southern Water Treatment Company passed out and collapsed. The worker hit a nozzle as he fell and released a cloud of hydrogen sulfide into the air.

That caused hydrogen sulfide to be released into the air. Workers were evacuated from the building as HazMat teams worked to contain the leak.

A Greenville County EMS crew was treated at a nearby restaurant after driving through the gas and becoming ill
during lunch.

Ten of those taken to the hospital have been released. Three others are being evaluated.

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas with an offensive stench and is said to smell like rotten eggs. Hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally and is also produced by human activities. Just a few breaths of air containing high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas can cause death. Lower, longer-term exposure can cause eye irritation, headache, and fatigue. It is commonly known as hydrosulfuric acid, sewer gas, and stink damp. People can smell it at low levels.

People in the area were asked to close their windows and turn off air conditioning as a precaution.

Team coverage of the story beginning today on News Channel 7 at 5:00pm