Granada Hills : Haz-Mat Team Reacts to Chemical Spill
A chemical spill prompted the response of a hazardous-materials team to a basement at Granada Hills Community Hospital, but no evacuation was necessary, authorities said Thursday.
No patients were in the building where the spill of ethylene oxide occurred late Wednesday, said Los Angeles City Fire Department spokesman Jim Wells. There were no injuries but a maintenance worker was examined at the hospital and later released.
About 20 firefighters responded to the incident, which was reported at 10:25 p.m. The spill came from an undetermined leak, Wells said.
Although ethylene oxide is used to sterilize medical equipment, Wells said the chemical can be poisonous if inhaled in large quantities and can cause burns in contact with the skin or eyes. But Wells said the spill “apparently was not in the quantity that could be dangerous.”
The case was turned over to County health officials for investigation, Wells said.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
