Toxic Spill at Film Lab Sends 24 to Hospital

Two dozen people were treated for dizziness, nausea and respiratory problems after an early-morning chemical spill today at the Technicolor building in Universal City, authorities said.

Firefighters and company officials evacuated part of the three-story building after 20 gallons of a toxic cleaning solvent spilled from a 55-gallon drum in a processing lab shortly after midnight, a spokesman for Universal Studios said.

The chemical, called perchloroethylene, apparently leaked into the air-conditioning system after it was spilled, city Fire Department spokesman Greg Acevedo said. He described the chemical as a “low-level” toxic material widely used as a cleaning fluid.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene after employees complained of dizziness while trying to mop up the spill, a spokesman for the county Fire Department said.

In all, officials said 35 employees were checked by paramedics who set up a command post in a parking lot near the building at 4050 Lankershim Blvd. Acevedo said 24 were briefly treated at several area hospitals. None were admitted.

Dan Slusser, the spokesman for Universal, said the accident had been traced to a faulty valve. Acevedo said a city hazardous materials team had cleaned up the spill by 4 a.m.