40 children taken to hospitals after chemical leak at YMCA pool

iStock/Thinkstock (DURHAM, N.C.) — Dozens of children were taken to local hospitals 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.

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.

 

PHOTO: Twenty-three people were taken to area hospitals after a chemical spill at the Downtown Durham YMCA in Durham, N.C., Aug. 2, 2017. WTVD

Twenty-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.

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