Perfume Odor Sends 34 to Hospital

FORT WORTH, Texas - At first, fire officials suspected that carbon monoxide or some other poisonous fumes might have sickened almost 150 people at a Fort Worth bank call center.

They learned someone's perfume was to blame.

MedStar ambulance spokeswoman Lara Kohl said 34 people were taken to hospitals, 12 by ambulance, after reporting dizziness and shortness of breath at the Bank of America call center. She said another 110 were treated at the scene and released.

Fort Worth fire Lt. Kent Worley said hazardous material specialists checked for carbon monoxide or other hazardous fumes, but found nothing.

A worker told a fire investigator that two co-workers became ill after someone sprayed on perfume. When a supervisor announced on the office intercom that those feeling ill should leave, dozens did -- including some from other floors.