Source Of School's Carbon Monoxide Leak Identified

Columbus Fire Chief Geoffrey Tennant confirmed the leak was carbon monoxide on Tuesday.

By: staff | News Channel 7
Published: October 21, 2008

A faulty air flow created the conditions for a caborn monoxide leak in an incident on Monday that forced the closing of the Polk County's Virtual Early College School and sent dozens of students and faculty to the hospital.

Now confirmed as carbon monoxide poisoning by Columbus Fire Chief Geoffrey Tennant, the incident sent 32 people to the hospital -- 27 students and 5 staff members.

Tennant said the problem was insufficient air in the boiler room which created negative pressure and forced fumes into the ventilation system.

A vented opening is being created in the wall, and carbon monoxide detectors have been installed in the school.

School officials want to run the heater for the day before they confirm school will be in session tomorrow, per Tennant and Superintendent Bill Walker.

Most of the students and faculty were treated and released from the hospital Monday, but two students were kept overnight. Hospital officials said they expect both to be released today.

Tennant said the problem started when a heater was turned on for the first time this year.

They began feeling sick and headed out of the classroom

Several students went across the street to the sheriff’s office for help.

“So then everyone started getting dizzy my friend asked me if I had any Tylenol I was like no and so I texted my mom to see if she could come by with some medicine and then everyone went outside and Alicia passed out and people were passing out everywhere,” Amber Holt, a student at the school, said.

“I saw one (student) laying down who was unconscious. I don’t know who it was, it’s kind of scary you know I’ve got kids myself, so you see every kid like your own kid," Chris Abril, Polk County Sheriff said.

Several students told us they passed out, but the hospital reports they were conscious when they arrived.

Although carbon monoxide poisioning can be deadly, in this case the exposure was minimal, according to a doctor from St. Luke's.

“The labs didn’t show the exposure was you know overwhelming just observation and oxygen therapy, just a mask to blow in. they did not require hyperbaric or anything like that,” Dr. Lonnie Lassiter, of St. Luke’s Hospital, said.

Web resources
More on carbon monoxide poisoning
St. Luke's Hospital Web site
Polk County Schools Web site