The Corporation of the City of St.

Catharines
www.stcatharines.ca

PO Box 3012, 50 Church Street St. Catharines, ON L2R 7C2 Tel: 905.688.5600

News Release

Chlorine gas released at Merritton pool

July 12, 2012 Residents in the area of Lion Dunc Schooley Pool are asked to remain indoors with the windows and doors closed and air conditioning off until further notice because of airborne chlorine gas. This includes residents on: Park Avenue from Seymour Avenue to the railway crossing. Seymour Avenue east of Park Avenue to the cul de sac. Autumn Place from Park Avenue to end. Chlorine gas was released shortly after 1 p.m. when a contractor delivering pool chemicals mistakenly added between 20 to 30 gallons of chlorine into a tank holding muriatic acid. Fire Services contained the spread of the vapour by spraying water at the plume. Quantum Murray is at the Seymour Avenue pool handling the chemical cleanup. The pool will be closed until further notice. Twelve people were taken to hospital after the chlorine gas was release into the air. Two people were decontaminated and treated on site before being taken to hospital with serious injuries. Their conditions will be monitored overnight. Ten others were treated on site and taken to hospital with less serious injuries. All victims were decontaminated before being admitted to hospital. Victims range in age between seven and 50 years old and include five City lifeguards. The Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Environment have been notified. Residents who were at the pool at the time of the incident who are now feeling ill should seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms, including sore throat and cough, can worsen over the next 12 hours to four days.

-30Contact: Mark Mehlenbacher Fire Chief, St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services 905.328.1431 (mobile) mmehlenbacher@stcatharines.ca