Tear Gas Explodes at Recycling Plant

LOS ANGELES — Two canisters of tear gas exploded at a downtown paper recycling plant, exposing about 30 workers to irritating fumes, authorities said.

The tear gas canisters came with a load of recyclable paper to the plant at 2474 E. Porter Ave., said Nosa Omoruyi, a hazardous-materials specialist with the county of Los Angeles. The canisters went off about 6:30 a.m., a Los Angeles City Fire spokesman said.

Hazardous-materials teams were sent to the scene to determine what the fumes were. Between 30 and 40 workers complained of symptoms such as watery eyes, raspy throats and runny noses. No one had to be taken to the hospital, Omoruyi said.