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26 Workers Sickened At San Francisco Recycling Plant

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Two workers were hospitalized and 24 others were treated for a variety of illnesses including itchy eyes, shortness of breath and nausea Friday at a hazardous material incident at a large recycling facility on the San Francisco waterfront, authorities said.

The incident was reported around 8 a.m. at Pier 96 -- the location of a large recycling facility owned by Recology Corp. on the southern end of the San Francisco waterfront.

Authorities declared the area a 'hot zone' and called in hazardous material teams as well as medical personnel.

Fire officials said the incident was isolated to the pier so no shelter in place order was needed. A wide area around the site was also cordoned off.

A Recology spokesman said the facility sorts through recyclable material collected in blue bins from homes in San Francisco.

San Francisco Fire Department spokesman Jonathan Baxter said just two of those afflicted required hospitalized. He said the scene was now safe.

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