Hazmat situation

[BrAllison]

Any idea how this can happen/what would cause this?
From the article ‘The operator said the rare but very serious occurrence can happen as the result of a pump malfunction, leaving victims to breathe in the toxic gas produced from the mix.’

Chesterfield pool turned hazmat zone sends 16 to the hospital

Chesterfield Fire and EMS crews responded to a call around 11: 20 a.m. Wednesday, June 15 saying there was a weird smell coming from the 8600 block of Pullman Lane – the location of Harpers M…

www.wric.com

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Sounds like chlorine and muriatic acid was mixed that created mustard gas.

They must never be stored together or put in the pool at the same time.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Welcome to TFP.

Sounds like chlorine and muriatic acid was mixed that created mustard gas.

They must never be stored together or put in the pool at the same time.

Just a correction - chlorine gas is NOT mustard gas. Mustard gas is an organic compound containing sulfur and chlorine. It’s a blistering agent. When acid and hypochlorite are mixed it liberates chlorine gas. Chlorine gas is a toxic asphyxiant that causes pulmonary edema and chemical burns.

But yes, chlorinating liquid and acid should never be dosed at the same time or stored near one another.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Have been on a few of those type of calls but only at residential garages from improper storage practices of swimming pool chemicals in the non deposit containers with no containment cases, all with no medical emergencies.

 

[JamesW]

8News also spoke with a mother, who asked to remain unnamed, and said she was at the pool with five of her kids – aged eight, seven, five, and two years old, and was holding her four-month-old – when they inhaled a “powdery substance” and started choking. The mother said she and her five children went to Chippenham Hospital for treatment, and then returned home.

This says a powdery substance, which sounds like maybe calcium hypochlorite, but it is just speculation until further information is published.