[Breaking] 15 Students Hospitalized After Formalin Leak at Milyang-si Milseong Jeil High School

Science Lab Chemical Storage Cabinet Door Falls Off When Opened

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] In a science laboratory at a high school in Miryang-si, Gyeongnam, 'formalin' leaked, causing about 20 students to be urgently transported to hospitals for treatment, and an evacuation of the entire student body ensued.

According to the fire authorities, at around 9:57 a.m. on the 7th, the formalin leak occurred in the science laboratory of Milseongjeil High School. It is understood that the bottle containing formalin fell and broke while opening and closing a cabinet where chemicals were stored, causing the leak.

During this incident, 20 students were affected, and among them, 15 were transported to and are receiving treatment at various hospitals including Changwon Gyeongsang National University Hospital and Samsung Hospital.

Immediately after the accident, the school evacuated faculty, staff, and all students outside the school and closed the science laboratory. The fire authorities deployed a total of 64 personnel, including a special rescue team, and 15 pieces of equipment to carry out rescue operations and hospital transfers.

Formalin is used as a raw material for insecticides, repellents, and disinfectants, and is classified as a harmful chemical to the human body when inhaled.