Irritant that sickened Air Force personnel identified as air freshener

The unknown irritant that sickened 24 people at Fairchild Air Force Base Thursday has been identified as air freshener.

Multiple air fresheners were placed in a confined area and when the HVAC system came on it “caused irritation” that resulted in a hazardous materials response by emergency responders, according to FAFB news release.

The incident caused the evacuation of the Building 2045, occupied by the Logistics Readiness Squadron. The 24 personnel sickened by the fumes were treated on base, at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Deaconess Medical Center. All were treated and released within hours.

The building has been reopened and everyone is back at work, the Air Force said.