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Nitrogen Explosion Causes Scare At New Center One Building

DETROIT (WWJ) - There were some scary moments Thursday afternoon at Henry Ford Medical Center - New Center One after a liquid nitrogen canister exploded in a utility room.

The incident occurred about noon on the eighth floor of the building on West Grand at Second Avenue in Detroit.

About 25 employees and patients in Henry Ford's Department of Dermatology were temporarily evacuated from the building, but no one was injured.  HAZMAT crews were called to the scene but the substance was deemed not hazardous.

According to a statement by medical center officials, manufacturer of the liquid nitrogen removed the canister and plans to investigate what caused it to explode.  Liquid nitrogen is a cool liquid used to treat skin disorders.

Dermatology services at the clinic are canceled for the remainder of the day as a precaution as overexposure to liquid nitrogen fumes may cause dizziness, loss of balance and other problems.

The medical center expected to resume full operations on Friday.

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