Chemical spill forces partial hospital evacuation
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Portions of two floors at the Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi in Pearlridge were evacuated last night after a chemical fluid spilled.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
The liquid was described as developing fluid from an X-ray machine. Between 1 and 2 gallons of the acetic acid leaked out of the machine on the third floor of the hospital, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Kenison Tejada.
Hazmat 1 firefighters talk to a security guard as they prepare to enter Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi to investigate a chemical spill.
Tejada said the liquid was supposed to flow into a drain, but instead it seeped through the floor to the second story. The fluid formed a puddle of about 400 square feet, he said.
Six fire companies, including the department's two Hazmat teams, were sent to the hospital at about 8:25 p.m. Police and fire officials evacuated workers from portions of the two floors, although staff involved in a surgery on the second floor decided to stay, Tejada said.
No patients were evacuated and there were no reports of injuries. Tejada said exposure to the developing liquid can cause eye and respiratory irritation.
Fire crews left the scene at about 10:40 last night after determining that the liquid did not pose a hazard.
Hospital spokesman Brian White said the liquid was "very diluted" and would be cleaned up by hospital crews. He said no one was in either the X-ray room or the examination room directly beneath on the second floor.
White said the hospital will conduct an investigation to determine what caused the chemical to overflow.
Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com
