23 Treated After Oakton High Chemical Leak

November 25, 1999

By Benning

Washington Post Staff Writer

Saturday, November 20, 1999; Page B05

Fairfax County's Oakton High School was evacuated yesterday and 22 students

and a teacher were taken to hospitals for observation and treatment after

they were exposed to fumes of an unidentified chemical in a science lab.

All of the students taken to hospitals were released by evening. The

teacher, whose name wasn't released, remained at Inova Fairfax Hospital in

fair condition.

The leak was discovered just after 10 a.m., and officials later closed the

school for the rest of the day as a hazardous-materials team arrived. Fire

officials said a leaking container of the chemical was packaged and sent to

a lab for analysis and identification.

Fire officials cleared the building for reopening late yesterday.

School officials said the leak apparently originated in a cupboard where

chemicals had been stored. A teacher found several unlabeled containers of

chemicals in the cupboard Thursday. Under district policy, the chemicals

were supposed to be labeled. The teacher removed the containers and placed

them under a special ventilation hood for safety to await removal by a

district risk-management specialist.

Yesterday, however, a colleague from a neighboring classroom went into the

lab and told the teacher that there was an unusual smell coming from the

room. The smell was traced to the cabinet where the chemicals had been

stored. When the teacher opened the cupboard, she was overcome by the fumes,

officials said.

Fire officials said the teacher and students complained of dizziness, nausea

and shortness of breath.

The teacher and 12 students are taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital. Six

students were taken to Reston Hospital Center, and four were taken to Inova

Fair Oaks Hospital.

Students and staff were evacuated to the school's football stadium. Later,

buses were sent to pick up students and take them home.

School officials said the building will be open from 8 to 11 a.m. today so

students can pick up belongings. Students should report to the office to be

escorted to classrooms. On Monday, students are to report to their

fourth-period classes first to retrieve items not already picked up.

School officials said they're still investigating. Parents seeking more

information can call a hot line at 703-319-2700.

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