Officials: Third Incident at CEI, Leaks Not Carbon Monoxide

The scene at Cosmetic Essence Innovations is becoming routine. Employees scattered at evacuation points on the property, water and snacks for all.

Officials on the scene said this week's incidents were not caused carbon monoxide, however the investigation is ongoing as to what is causing employees to fall ill.

A third incident prompted a full evacuation of the building late Thursday morning. The first two incidents, both Monday and Wednesday, closed the building after a handful of people fell ill. 

The building opened on Thursday morning, despite the Wednesday night incident. Haz-Mat officials said it is still unknown what the leak is, but the carbon monoxide alarms in the building are being tripped by something unknown at this time.

CEI closed on Monday night due to an ongoing investigation of what exactly caused those illnesses. According to police, the business remained closed Tuesday morning and hired an outside firm to further investigate the possible leak. The business reopened on Tuesday at 2:45 p.m., according to police.

On Wednesday around 10 p.m., Holmdel police were called again to the scene at 2182 Highway 35, Holmdel. CEI remains closed "while a full investigation is being conducted to identify the cause of the elevated levels," according to police.

Employees were evacuated to specific points on the property, in accordance with the company's evacuation plan.

In 2010, The Star Ledger reported a carbon monoxide leak which evacuated 800 employees from the building, with five employees seeking medical treatment.