Seattle School Closes After Chemical Smell Injures Children

We assume that our children are safe when they go to school – but that might not always be the case. Last month in Seattle, a chemical odor in a new wing of a school caused one child to need medical attention and sickened several others.

South Shore K-8 elementary school in Seattle closed its second floor wing after teachers and children reported a strange smell that burnt their lungs and noses. While school authorities are still unsure of what caused the smell, or whether exposure to the smell is safe, they have closed the wing until an investigation takes place. In the meantime, they have treated the injured Washington children and notified parents of the problem. In addition, a nurse will be examining children at the school in the week following the incident.

According to King County school officials, experts will be brought to the school to conduct air quality tests and find the source of the chemical odors.