30 Become Ill as Fumes Rout 450 at Clinic in Sun Valley

Noxious fumes spewed into the air-vent system of a Sun Valley medical clinic Wednesday morning, forcing the evacuation of about 450 people from the six-story building and sickening about 30 occupants, officials said.

Patients and employees of the Serra Medical Clinic on San Fernando Road who complained of minor bouts of dizziness, headaches and nausea were treated and released from three nearby hospitals, fire officials said.

Fire and Los Angeles County Health Department officials said fumes with a petroleum odor emanated from the clinic’s outside sewer pipeline and passed into the ventilation system.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, county health officials said the building was safe for occupancy.

“The Fire Department flushed out the sewer system to remove any contaminants still in there,” said Roy Kobascigawa, a senior industrial hygienist for the county health department.

Looking for Origin of Fumes

Officials were investigating the origin of the fumes and said they suspect the gases may have come from a nearby chemical production company, Redell Industries, in the 11600 block of Sheldon Street.

“Our findings indicate this building could be the point of origin,” said Assistant Fire Chief Bob Ramirez. “We’re checking this place out to see if there was an accidental or other type of discharge into the sewage system.”

Jose Ochoa, a Los Angeles County Health Department senior industrial hygienist, said county health officials are focusing attention on Redell Industries because the same sewage line connects the company and the clinic.

Joshua Pratter, general manager of Redell Industries, said his firm is not responsible for the discharge that caused the gases to accumulate in the sewer system. He said that three other chemical manufacturers are located within a mile of his firm.

“We just happened to be on the way”--along the same sewer--”from where the odor is originating,” Pratter said. “That’s not saying we’re the source.”

Ochoa said readings in the sewer line near the clinic are similar to readings in sewers near Redell. Ochoa added that the odor at the clinic smelled of petroleum and said health investigators found toluene, a chemical solvent and ingredient of gasoline, on the chemical company’s premises.

Probe to Take Several Days

Ochoa said the Fire Department has been called to investigate Redell Industries at least twice in the last several months.

It could take several days to complete the investigation into where the fumes came from, Ochoa said.

Staff members and patients streamed out of the clinic in the 9300 block of San Fernando Road about noon, two hours after about 30 occupants became ill, fire officials said.

All six floors of the clinic were evacuated and all employees were sent home for the day, said Hermano Mariani, clinic administrator. The building houses medical services including pediatrics, obstetrics and general practices. He said the center will reopen Friday.