Three refuse workers were treated and a Diamond Head street was evacuated for several hours after a strong pesticide odor began coming out of the rear of their old-style garbage truck this morning.

The men were conducting bulky item pickup on Poka Place and were compacting waste inside the truck when they began feeling nauseous about 8:58 a.m., said Capt. Terry Seelig, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman.

The workers left their truck and called for help. Several neighbors and construction workers in the area were evacuated as an investigation began. Several of the neighbors reported initially smelling an odor which later dissipated.

About 1 p.m., the disposal truck was deemed safe enough to be moved, and it was towed to an isolated city property where it will be aerated for several days before being disposed of, Seelig said.

The three workers were treated at Straub Clinic & Hospital,  where they treated and released, said Markus Owens, Department of Environmental Services spokesman.

No one else was injured.

Owens said pesticides are considered household hazardous waste which requires special disposal procedures. The department holds special disposal collection days once every two months. Call 768-3201 for an appointment and further details or go to opala.org and look under “hazardous products and guidelines.”