Formalin leaked at a high school in Miryang, Gyeongnam, prompting the Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters 119 Biochemical Rescue Team and others to respond. [Image source=Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters]
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters reporters Se-ryeong Lee and Wook Kim] At around 9:57 a.m. on the 7th, a formalin leak occurred at a high school in Miryang, Gyeongnam, causing 213 students and staff to evacuate.
Formalin is classified as a toxic hazardous chemical mainly used as a preservative in biological specimen jars for dissecting frogs and mice.
According to the Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters, the teacher forcefully pulled the handle of the chemical cabinet in the school science lab because it was difficult to open, causing a formalin bottle inside to break.
As a result of the accident, 26 people were exposed to the toxic gas, and one teacher and 16 students were urgently transported to the hospital.
The remaining nine reported mild symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
The Gyeongnam Special Rescue Team of the Fire Headquarters, dispatched after receiving the report, entered the scene and confirmed that about 500 to 1000 cc of formalin had leaked, then began adsorption wrapping work.
After neutralization, the Special Rescue Team checked the internal vapor measurement, which was 0.5 ppm, within the normal range.
They added that formalin in the air at 0.9 ppm causes discomfort, and levels above 14 ppm are dangerous to human health.
The fire authorities stated that 58 firefighting personnel, including the 119 Biochemical Rescue Team, and 20 vehicles such as ambulances were deployed to the scene, and the emergency situation ended at around 2:05 p.m.
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