With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Carbon Dioxide Leak At LAX Sickened 4 Workers And Temporarily Shut Down Terminal 8
A United Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner sits on the tarmac earlier this year. Activity at Terminal 8 — United's main terminal — was disrupted Halloween morning due to a carbon dioxide leak.
(
Daniel Slim
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Topline:
Terminal 8 at LAX re-opened after being closed down due to a carbon dioxide leak that sickened at least four workers this morning, leaving one of them in critical condition.
What happened: Brian Humphreys, a spokesperson for the L.A. Fire Department says the leak was caused by a fire suppression system inside a utility room. United Airlines, which operates out of Terminal 8, consolidated flights in and out of Terminal 7, according to LAX officials, until the area was cleared for use. The shutdown lasted from about 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Why that's worrisome: Humphreys explained:
Sponsored message
The systems that utilize carbon dioxide typically dump the colorless odorless gas into the room instantly. It could completely fill an area and it displaces all oxygen so a person could become unconscious and eventually stop breathing in a matter of moments. So it's something that you can't see ... you can't taste. It's hard to prepare for but when a system's activated it's important for people to remove themselves."
What's next: Humphreys says the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating what caused the system to be activated.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
