LOS ANGELES : Hospital Clinic Reopens; Cause of Odors Investigated
A clinic at County-USC Medical Center reopened Thursday as authorities searched for the cause of an odor that prompted hundreds to flee and 34 people to experience breathing problems and burning eyes.
“Some said it smelled like natural gas or bleach,” said Harvey Kern, a spokesman for the medical center. However, natural gas was ruled out as the cause.
About 250 workers, patients and family members fled the two-story clinic after the odor was detected about 11 a.m. Wednesday. The clinic provides outpatient pediatric and family planning care.
Dozens of firefighters and hazardous material crews responded to the scene and took 34 people, including 13 hospital employees, to County-USC’s main hospital and to three other hospitals.
They suffered from “mild to moderate symptoms” such as coughing, watering eyes and nausea, Kern said. All were treated and released.
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