WILLIAMSPORT — About 25 people were hit by drifting fungicide Wednesday while a crop duster sprayed a neighboring field.
The group, primarily teens, were detasseling corn on a field owned by Hubner Industries, said Roger Vail, safety manager for the seed production company.
About 50 people were working but only about half were affected by the drift, according to Neal Wood, the subcontractor who manages the workers.
The affected detasselers were transported in a school bus to St. Vincent Williamsport Hospital where they were treated outside by a hazardous materials team from the Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency and hospital staff.
Five people were admitted to the emergency room for treatment while others were treated in the decontamination area, according to Tudie Kuiper, a spokeswoman for the hospital.
All of the people affected by the fungicide drift have been released, according to Kuiper.
Some of the teens reported symptoms, including throat, eye and skin irritation, according to hospital staff.