The Lerner Health and Wellness Center was evacuated Wednesday afternoon after a hazardous materials incident. Andrew Nacin/Hatchet photographer
The Lerner Health and Wellness Center was evacuated Wednesday afternoon due to a chlorine spill, shutting down 23rd and G streets. A University Police Department officer was taken to GW Hospital after inhaling chlorine gas, a D.C. Fire Department officer said.
The s incident occurred after a contractor accidentally sprayed chlorine on an electrical panel, causing a cloud, fire department Battalion Chief Wayne Benson said. A UPD officer who responded to the scene inhaled that cloud, which creates hydrochloric acid upon contact with the lung’s moisture, Benson said.
“That caused the fire alarm in the building to go off, and it appears that one of GW’s security guards went up to investigate,” Benson said. “When he opened the door to that room, he inhaled some of the smoke.”
The fire department then went into the building and found that the chlorine levels were not dangerous, using meters to gauge the levels, Benson said. Firefighters diluted and ventilated the area, and the building should be open later today.
Update, 4:00 p.m.
The contractor had been filling two 100-gallon chlorine tanks for the pool when an overspray hit the electrical panel and caused a small flashfire, fire department spokesperson Pete Piringer said. The UPD officer who inhaled chlorine was treated by paramedics on the scene and given oxygen before being transported to GW Hospital. His injuries were serious but not life-threatening, Piringer said.
Update, 5:22 p.m.
The building has been reopened.
