Toxic Chemical Spill Injures 2, Forces Evacuation at Hospital

Two technicians suffered minor injuries and areas of Sherman Oaks Community Hospital were evacuated Thursday morning after a gallon of a toxic chemical spilled in a laboratory near the emergency room, officials said.

A Los Angeles Fire Department hazardous materials unit was called to the hospital in the 4900 block of Van Nuys Boulevard at 8:18 a.m., authorities said. Fire Department spokesman Pat Marek said the first-floor laboratory where the spill took place, the emergency room and the same area of the floor above were evacuated.

Hospital spokeswoman Johna Rogovin said a gallon-sized container of tetrahydrofuran, a chemical used in preparing tissues for pathological study, was inadvertently knocked off a counter in the laboratory.

About 18 people were evacuated and two laboratory technicians who inhaled vapors from the chemical were examined, Rogovin said. The technicians, whose names were not released, reported only slight effects from the exposure.

“It was very minor,” Rogovin said. “They went back to work.”

The emergency room and laboratory were reopened at noon after the spilled chemical was cleaned up.

“We are back to normal,” Rogovin said. “There was just a cleanup. There was no damage.”