Four of 17 students at Highlands Intermediate School in Pearl City overcome by chemical odor were treated yesterday at Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi.

Honolulu Emergency Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic said three students were taken by ambulance in stable condition to the hospital while another student was transported to Pali Momi by a parent. A fifth student was treated at the school and released, said Cheplic.

The other students complaining of breathing difficulties did not require treatment, according to Cheplic.

The Honolulu Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Unit responded to the school, 1460 Ho'olaule'a St., at 1:30 p.m. The source of the odor was found to be a broken bottle of malathion at a Ho'omalimali Street residence, said HFD spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig. The school is located downwind from the residence, Seelig added.

The incident was resolved by 2:20 p.m., said Seelig.