iStock/Thinkstock (DURHAM, N.C.) — Six children are in serious condition after a sodium hypochlorite leak at a YMCA swimming pool in Durham, North Carolina.
The unintentional leak, which occurred at approximately 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Downtown Durham YMCA, affected 40 children ages 6 to 12 years old, as well as two adults, according to Durham County Emergency Management.
Six children were taken to a local hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition, while the additional 34 children and the two adults were transported with non-serious injuries, Durham County Emergency Management said.
Those affected showed symptoms including vomiting, respiratory illness, and skin and eye irritation, according to Durham County Emergency Management.
Sodium hypochlorite is a frequently used as a disinfectant in the maintenance of swimming pools.
“Earlier this afternoon, a lifeguard at our Downtown Durham YMCA reported a strong chemical odor near the pool pump room,” the YMCA said in a statement, according to local ABC station WTVD. “YMCA staff immediately contacted EMS. They, in turn contacted the Durham Fire Department who determined that this was a HAZMAT situation.”
The pool has been closed, Durham County Emergency Management said. An investigation into the incident is underway.
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Six children are in serious condition after a sodium hypochlorite leak at a YMCA swimming pool in Durham, North Carolina.
The unintentional leak, which occurred at approximately 3 p.m. at the Downtown Durham YMCA, affected 40 children ages 6 to 12 years old, as well as two adults, according to Durham County Emergency Management.
Six children were taken to a local hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition, while the additional 34 children and the two adults were transported with non-serious injuries, Durham County Emergency Management said.
Those affected showed symptoms including vomiting, respiratory illness, and skin and eye irritation, according to Durham County Emergency Management.
Sodium hypochlorite is a frequently used as a disinfectant in the maintenance of swimming pools.
WTVDTwenty-three people were taken to area hospitals after a chemical spill at the Downtown Durham YMCA in Durham, N.C., Aug. 2, 2017. more +
“Earlier this afternoon, a lifeguard at our Downtown Durham YMCA reported a strong chemical odor near the pool pump room,” the YMCA said in a statement, according to local ABC station WTVD. “YMCA staff immediately contacted EMS. They, in turn contacted the Durham Fire Department who determined that this was a HAZMAT situation.”
The pool has been closed, Durham County Emergency Management said. An investigation into the incident is underway.