Quoted Text

Cleaning solution blamed for school fumes
Schenectady high school students, faculty forced from building for several minutes as a precaution

By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer
First published in print: Friday, November 21, 2008

SCHENECTADY — The high school was evacuated for about 45 minutes Thursday when several staff members on the building's north side smelled fumes, fire and school officials said.
     
There were no reported injuries to students although three staff members were taken to Ellis Hospital with non-life threatening injuries following the incident, which occurred about 11:30 a.m., city schools spokeswoman Karen Corona said.

She said a chlorine- or bleach-based cleaning solution used by maintenance workers Thursday morning to clean water in the tunnels in the boiler room area seeped through vents of two offices into the A and B wings of the school, located at 1445 The Plaza. Faculty pulled the fire alarm, prompting the evacuation. Staff and students were allowed back in the building about 12:15 p.m., where they were sent to the auditorium as hazardous materials crews tested the air quality.........http://timesunion.com/AspStori.....;newsdate=11/21/2008