Monday, November 27, 2006
9 people hospitalized after chemical spill in Makati school (11:40 a.m.)
MANILA -- At least nine people were sickened and dozens of residents in the Philippine capital evacuated after mercury and other chemicals spilled from a high school laboratory cabinet, officials and reports said Monday.
Six teachers and two janitors from the San Isidro National High School in Makati, Manila's financial district, were treated for skin and eye irritation after the chemical cabinet crashed to the floor on Sunday, Mayor Jejomar Binay said.
A student who threw up was taken to the hospital on Monday and the school was declared closed, he said.
"So far (the injured) are OK. They complained of chest pains, skin irritation and eye irritation. After treatment, they appeared to be fine," Makati police chief Superintendent Gilbert Cruz said.
About 30 residents in a 100 meter (yard) radius of the school were evacuated while police and firemen cleaned up the site, radio reports said.
Binay said the US Embassy provided a chemical suit that was used by a police officer to get inside the contaminated classroom and take video images and samples of the chemicals.
"The cabinet just crashed. What is dangerous here is the bromide and mercury, but there is also sulfuric acid and paint, which could have mixed together," Binay said. (AP) |
