Four McDonald’s Workers Sickened By Carbon Dioxide Leak At Troy Travel Center

Fast food may not be healthy but at a McDonald's in Troy, the health problem was not due to the chicken nuggets.

Gas Exposure Causes Injuries in Troy

Emergency personnel were called to the McDonald’s located inside the Love’s Travel Center off Interstate 35 in Troy following reports of a hazardous gas exposure. Four fast food employees required medical treatment after becoming ill on the job.

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First Responders Find Multiple Employees in Distress

First responders from the Troy Fire Department and Temple EMS arrived on the scene around 5:00 p.m. Tuesday. According to KWTX, video footage captured at the scene showed McDonald's employees losing consciousness while emergency crews provided aid. On-site medical staff treated the affected workers before transporting three to local medical facilities by ground ambulance. A fourth employee was emergency-airlifted via medical helicopter to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center for intensive care.

Carbon Dioxide Can Be Deadly

Official incident records indicate that an internal carbon dioxide sensor activated inside the facility, registering concentrations of 1,760 parts per million (ppm). Public health and workplace safety standards established by OSHA and the CDC classify readings at this level as unhealthy. Prolonged inhalation of elevated carbon dioxide, a gas commonly used in commercial soda dispensing units to carbonate beverages, can lead to severe disorientation, acute headaches, and brain fog.

Responders Shut Down the Machines

To prevent further exposure, the Fire Department shut off the restaurant's beverage dispensing system pending a full technical evaluation by management. While corporate representatives for McDonald’s have not issued a public statement, local municipal officials confirmed that the establishment cannot resume fountain drink sales until the system passes inspection. The main travel stop and the dining facility remain open to the public.

Bell County Health Department Investigation

Local health authorities with the Bell County Health District confirmed they are reviewing the event, saying a similar carbon dioxide leak occurred at the same location on June 22. Although that previous incident was determined not to be a food safety violation, health inspectors had advised management to undergo routine air quality monitoring and train staff on gas exposure protocols.