Carbon dioxide leak at Los Angeles Airport leaves four workers ill, one critical

Gas leak was reported in Terminal 8 baggage area on Monday morning

A carbon dioxide leak at Los Angeles Airport has left four workers ill, including one in critical condition.

A hazardous materials team was called to LAX’s Terminal 8 baggage area at around 7.30am PST on Monday after a sudden release of gas from a utility room, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) said in a statement.

A male worker in his 50s “was found pulseless and (not breathing) inside the utility room”, and was given CPR at the scene by emergency responders.

He was rushed to hospital in a “grave” condition, and he is now listed as being in a critical condition, the LAFD said.

Three other workers, a woman and two men, were treated at the scene for minor complaints. The workers had heard a “popping sound” prior to the release of carbon dioxide vapour, the LAFD said.

The fire department said that no passengers were directly affected by the gas leak, and around 100 people were evacuated to Terminal 7 for safety reasons.

Los Angeles Airport said in a tweet just after 9am PST that inbound United Airlines flights were being delayed from departing from their airport of origin while a hazmat team investigated the leak.

FLIGHT UPDATE: United flights that were already in the air headed to LA will continue to land as planned. Others that had not departed will do so after 10 am today. Check your flight status with the airline directly for the best information.

— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) October 31, 2022

In an update a short time later, the airport’s Twitter account said the delay had been lifted, and United flights would be resuming normal service.