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SARATOGA SPRINGS -- A Saratoga Springs man in his early 30s died Tuesday hours after ingesting a hazardous substance, and two dozen people at the health clinic where he went for treatment were quarantined, officials said.
Intermountain Healthcare spokeswoman Janet Frank said the man, who police identified as Mauricio Lacayo, apparently ingested selenomethionine at his job. She said early reports indicated Lacayo inhaled the substance, but she could not confirm that.
"We know that he was at work in Payson, where the exposure occurred," Frank said.
Frank says Lacayo worked at Sabinsa Corporation. The company's website says it manufactures synthetic substances used in pharmaceuticals and the nutrition industry.
Several hazmat crews in protective gear responded Lacayo's home near 130 West and Daybreak Lane in Saratoga Springs Tuesday afternoon.
Frank said Lacayo went home, changed his clothes, then went to the nearby InstaCare clinic because he wasn't feeling well. He later died at a hospital or on the way.
"It was a very sudden incident, and we're trying to track down exactly what the substance was that this gentleman ingested and what caused him to pass away," said Saratoga Springs police Cpl. Aaron Rosen.
Frank said in addition to the selenomethionine, Lacayo also had calcium citrate in his system; however, doctors believe it was the selenomethionine that killed him.
KSL News spoke with a neighbor who told us his wife was actually inside of that house babysitting Lacayo's children.
In addition to Lacayo's house, hazmat crews quarantined the InstaCare clinic where Lacayo sought help.
Frank says the clinic was shut down and 24 people there were quarantined. She says eight of them were decontaminated in a tent on the clinic site, but none complained of feeling ill.
"The responders do want to talk to the eight before they let the others go," she said. "I don't know of anyone else that should be worried (about) exposure."
Most of those quarantined at the InstaCare were cleared Tuesday night. Hazmat crews have spent most of their time at Lacayo's home, where his family and a neighbor are under close watch.
Other homes in Lacayo's neighborhood have not been evacuated as of yet.
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Story compiled with contributions from Nicole Gonzales, Alex Cabrero, Marc Giauque and The Associated Press.
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