28 Overcome by Acid Fumes at Swimming Pool
Twenty-eight people suffered mild respiratory ailments Monday after at least 10 gallons of hydrochloric acid drained into a crowded public swimming pool in Paramount.
County fire officials said the victims--some as young as 3 months old--were either taking or giving swimming lessons at a pool in the 14600 block of Orange Avenue when a valve that releases small amounts of acid into the pool stuck open, creating a cloud of noxious fumes.
None of the victims received direct skin burns, and all were listed in stable condition at local hospitals.
Two dozen people were in the pool when fumes first spread and swimmers began to complain of eye, nose and throat irritation, county Fire Inspector Greg Cleveland said.
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