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- Seven workers evaluated after chemical exposure at Cleveland, Tenn., M&M Mars plant
- Six were transported to hospitals; officials say incident was contained with no public risk
- Operations paused in affected area as Mars Wrigley and first responders assessed the site
Seven employees were evaluated by emergency crews Friday morning after a chemical exposure at the M&M Mars manufacturing plant in Cleveland, Tenn., authorities said.
The incident occurred shortly after 9 a.m. inside the facility on Peerless Road, prompting a multi-agency response from Bradley County EMS and the Cleveland Fire Department (CFD).
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According to a release from the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office obtained by PEOPLE, one person was taken to Erlanger Medical Center and five others were transported to Bradley Medical Center for further evaluation. A seventh individual was treated at the scene and released shortly after.
PEOPLE spoke to Deputy Chief Pete Van Dusen of the CFD, who confirmed the workers were exposed to chlorine gas that was contained to a single area of the plant. Operations in the affected section were temporarily halted as a precaution while crews assessed the situation.
Vandusen noted that the "atmosphere has been cleared with monitoring devices" and there is no danger to the public or any continuing threat outside the facility.
Mars Wrigley, which operates the plant, said in a statement to PEOPLE that safety remains its “top priority,” noting that all individuals involved were safe and there was no impact to the broader community or to products made at the site.
The company added, "that its on-site team worked quickly and closely with first responders throughout the morning to resolve the incident."
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The plant primarily manufactures candy products, including M&Ms and Peanut Butter M&Ms (the only plant nationwide to produce the latter) and Twix.
Bradley County EMS thanked the Cleveland Fire Department, plant leaders and on-site safety staff for what it described as a coordinated, efficient response.
Authorities said additional details may be released as the investigation continues.
A Mars Wrigley spokesperson confirmed that all hospitalized workers have been released as of Dec. 6. "Our site has been cleared for operation, and we remain thankful for the quick action of our Associates and first responders," the spokesperson said.