A Newcastle office block has been evacuated twice in the the same day, with around 30 people sent to hospital with breathing difficulties and chemical irritations.
The Harbourpark building on Argyle street became an emergency scene about 9.30 this morning, with 250 workers mustered to the foreshore, and around 16 people treated on the scene and bused to the John Hunter Hospital.
The contamination was traced to an air conditioning plant room where a cleaning agent had been in use, the area was ventilated and the workers allowed back.
Around 3.30 the building was again evacuated because of a chemical odour, and another 15 people were taken to hospital.
The building has had several such emergencies in recent years.
