Odor from truck sickens city refuse workers

Three city refuse workers received medical treatment and a Diamond Head street was evacuated for several hours Tuesday morning after the workers’ old-style garbage truck emitted a strong pesticide odor.

The men were conducting bulky item pickup on Poka Place and the truck was compacting items when they began feeling nauseous at about 9 a.m., said Capt. Terry Seelig, Hono­lulu Fire Department spokes­man.

The workers left their truck and called for help. Several residents and construction workers in the area were evacuated as an investigation began. Several of the neighbors reported initially smelling an odor that later dissipated.

At about 1 p.m. the disposal truck was deemed safe enough to be moved, and it was towed to an isolated city property where it will air out for several days before the source of the odor is found and disposed of, Seelig said.

The three workers were treated at Straub Clinic & Hospital and released, said Markus Owens, Department of Environmental Services spokes­man.

No one else reported needing medical attention.