TWO people are in a critical condition and 19 others have been injured after breathing in hydrogen sulfide following a chemical spill at New Zealand's only leather tannery.
Emergency services were called to Tasman Tanning Company in Whanganui just before 5pm (1500 AEDT) on Friday following a chemical spill.
Whanganui District Health Boards spokeswoman Sue Campion told AAP on Friday evening that two people were in critical condition after breathing in hydrogen sulfide and were being flown to Wellington Hospital.
Hydrogen sulfide - a colourless, poisonous and flammable gas - can damage lungs and affect breathing.
Ms Campion said 19 others suffered minor to moderate injuries and were being treated at Whanganui Hospital.
About 20 firefighters were at the scene.
Media reported the emergency service staff were wearing chemical suits and there was a strong smell in the air.
Tasman Tanning Company, which started in 1953, employs about 200 staff.
The two people who are in critical condition are company staff.
Nineteen people - including a firefighter and five St John Ambulance staff - were treated for minor chemical inhalation but 17 have since been discharged from hospital.
Fire Service Assistant Area Commander Roger Calder told AAP a "cloud" of hydrogen sulfide had been created after two unknown chemicals had mixed.
"I have no idea what caused it, all I know is that two chemicals came together and produced hydrogen sulfide," he said.
"It is part of the process of tanning hides but of course something has gone wrong and caused it to either get too much or get too little [of one chemical]."
Those who came into contact with the chemical were decontaminated.
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