Carlsbad Caverns reopen on Wednesday

Posted at: 07/25/2012 11:52 AM | Updated at: 07/25/2012 3:42 PM
By: The Associated Press and KOB.com Staff

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) - Carlsbad Caverns National Park reopened Wednesday, two days after air contamination forced its closure.

Employees at the park had reported headaches and other illnesses earlier this week because of heavy fumes coming from the elevator shaft. The elevator takes visitors 750 feet below ground to view cave formations.

Park Superintendent John Benjamin says a contractor had been cleaning rails with a solvent, which sent vapors into the visitors center.

Benjamin says three industrial hygienists toured the building Wednesday morning and determined that it was safe for visitors and employees to return.

The park's nightly bat flight programs, which are held at the amphitheater, remained open.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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