Students taken to hospital after hazmat incident at Boston school
More than 20 high school students were exposed to vaporized hydrochloric acid in a chemisty classroom at Boston Arts Academy on Monday morning, according to Boston Public Schools spokesperson Richard Weir.
The students were conducting an experiment involving zinc chloride, and were using beakers that had previously been used in a separate experiment that had involved hydrochloric acid, Weir said.
“Apparently there was some residual acid left in the beakers, and some of this residual hydrochloric acid vaporized in the classroom,’’ he said. “A number of students experienced discomfort.’’
Weir said that all 23 students were examined, first by the school’s nurse and then by Boston EMS.
“We are dealing with children here. Their safety is paramount,’’ Weir said.
According to WCVB, 18 students were sent to the hospital as a precautionary measure.
According to the Boston Fire Department, hazmat crews “checked the atmosphere in the classroom and school and all meters are within normal limits.’’
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com