(UPDATE 12:50 p.m.)— An employee at Johns Hopkins at Keswick complex in Hampden, who reported feeling ill earlier this week, has fainted and been taken to an area hospital Wednesday, according to an email to employees in those buildings.
Four more employees at the south building at the complex reported being ill on Tuesday, but an email to employees reports at least three of those cases were not caused by issues with a hot water heater.
"In the fourth case, we do not have enough information yet to say one way or the other. But we will update you again when we know more," according to an email sent to employees.
In February, the building was evacuated once and on two separate occasions dozens of employees reported being ill and were taken to area hospitals. The complex was closed for a day and it was determined that sodium nitrates in a hot water caused people to get ill.
In the email to employees, Johns Hopkins reports that hot water heater has been replaced, the entire system flushed multiple times and that test during the weekend showed no traces of nitrates.
Water service to the portion of the building impacted by the nitrates remains shot off and water coolers have been made available in the area while the state goes through the process of recertifying the system.
"In the meantime, as we said last week, we know that some employees remain uncomfortable and stressed about recent events. And, as the health professionals who came to Keswick last week said, stress can reflect itself in symptoms similar to those caused by the sodium nitrite in the hot water heater," according to the email.
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