Ammonia gas leak at Coca Cola facility forced 700 to evacuate on Wednesday

April 12^th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) An ammonia leak at a Coca-Cola facility in Calle Blancos forced 700 people to evacuate on Wednesday.  Apparently, the leak was caused by a malfunctioning valve.

The company has begun an investigation with the help of the equipment manufacturer, according to Arturo Campos, a spokesperson for Coca Cola.

Campos said that after the emergency protocol, staff made a full inspection of both finished products and those in process to ensure that they were fit for human consumption.

The spokesperson said that the ammonia gas is used in the manufacturing process to cool water, and doesn’t end up in the finished products.

The spokesperson said that after the emergency was under control, company staff visited every home in the area to explain to residents in detail what had happened.

“We work hand in hand with the community and do not want to leave any doubt,” he said.