Article examines former USDA inspector’s health complaints in depth

A story published recently by The Intercept, a news organization focused on investigative journalism, casts a spotlight on complaints raised by a former USDA inspector who believes she became sick from working around chemicals at a poultry plant. The article focuses on Jessica Robertson, who worked as an inspector in the Norbest turkey facility in Moroni, Utah, from 2002 until earlier this year. She describes symptoms including shortness of breath, a burning throat, coughing fits and bloody noses that she believes were caused by prolonged exposure to chemicals, including peracetic acid, used at the plant to remove bacteria from poultry carcasses. At one point Robertson was rushed to a hospital emergency room after she felt her chest constrict while on the job.