Date: March 20, 2003
Re: Formaldehyde Spill
At approximately 11:25AM, approximately two liters of formaldehyde were spilled during a Biology class at the Williamsport Area High School. Approximately a dozen students and two teachers were in the room when a formaldehyde spill occurred, with only one student actually coming in physical contact with the chemical.
The incident occurred when a student accidentally tripped over a stool and fell into a cabinet containing a number of specimens preserved in jars of formaldehyde during a routine class activity.
Precautionary measures were taken. The room was immediately sealed off until the fire department and DEP arrived. The fire department and DEP were contacted and responded to remedy this situation. DEP has released the site for normal district operations after cleanup occurred. .
The entire building had been evacuated to the auditorium. Students who drove to school had been given permission to leave school grounds. Special Needs students were dismissed at 1:25pm. All other students are currently being dismissed. WAHS has 91 staff members and 1877 students.
Parents should be aware of possible side effects. Possible side effects are chest pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing or nausea. Anyone experience these side effects should contact their family physician.
The student who had come in contact with the formaldehyde was examined by the school nurse who was in direct consultation with Poison Control. They determined that there should be no serious physical side effects.
The high school will resume their schedule tomorrow.