9 Hospitalized After Irvine Chemical Spill

Nine people were hospitalized Monday for minor respiratory problems after they inhaled a toxic chemical at an aerospace plant, fire officials said.

The Orange County Fire Department hazardous materials team was called to Parker-Hannifin Corp., 18321 Jamboree Road, about 5:40 p.m. to clean up the spill.

Employees at the plant were heating a quart of Dexter Hysol, an aerospace adhesive, when some of the chemical spilled and reacted with the heat to form a poisonous cloud, fire officials said.

Five employees in the immediate area inhaled the fumes and had to be decontaminated before being transported to a local hospital, where they were treated for minor respiratory problems. Four others were also transported to the hospital after breathing the fumes, officials said.