Chemical leak at Welsh school
Five pupils and teacher taken to hospital after universal paint cleaner sprayed in north Wales school
Tuesday, 04, Dec 2007 05:03
Five pupils and their teacher were taken to hospital earlier today after a suspected chemical leak at a school in north Wales.
Hospital staff say all six have been given precautionary check-ups, while 19 other children were sent home early.
Firefighters from Caernarfon had been called to Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Penygroes, at about 10:30 GMT after receiving reports of a "chemical incident".
It soon emerged that a pupil had sprayed a cleaning chemical indoors, which is now known to be universal paint cleaner that was brought on to the school premises.
"On arrival at the scene, firefighters entered the building to ensure the area was completely vented and that there were no residual fumes," a statement from North Wales fire and rescue service said.
Universal paint cleaner can cause irritation if inhaled.
Terry Williams, county safety manager, praised the pupils' teacher for reacting to the leak.
"The teacher took all the right actions for such an incident by opening all the windows to aid ventilation, ensuring the pupils were taken outside to safety and calling the emergency services," he said.