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All residents who took part in an evacuation in Varennes on Saturday following an industrial chemical leak were allowed to return to their homes Sunday, town officials said.

Authorities evacuated 15 homes and three factories on Saturday after several tonnes of titanium tetrachloride were released into the atmosphere. After air tests near the homes Sunday showed no signs of toxicity, the all-clear was given for residents to return home.

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Originally, officials estimated 40 tonnes of the gas had escaped, but a municipal official later clarified it appears only about five tonnes were released.

Two people were hospitalized as a result of the gas, which produced symptoms like headaches and difficulty breathing.

The toxic gas is still found around the Kronos factory, which produces titanium pigment for industrial paint, but is much less intense than on Saturday. Workers were cleaning up the mess using foam, which has caused a visible cloud. The cleanup is expected to be completed by Sunday evening.