Chemical spill causes disruptions at Dartmouth General
Posted Jun 7, 2012 08:07:54 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Capital Health officials say access to some parts of the Dartmouth General Hospital will be restricted today, and some surgeries were postponed because of a small chemical spill.
The spill happened in a utility room behind the switchboard near the main entrance, and visitors are being asked to use other entrance while the main lobby is ventilated.
Capital Health spokesman John Gillis tells News 95.7 via email the start of some surgeries were delayed because of the spill, but the all-clear has been given for surgeries to resume.
One scheduled surgery was cancelled because of the spill.
Several fire trucks responded to the hospital, but as spokesperson Dave Meldrum tells News 95.7 there is no risk to the public or patients.
“To get the required number of firefighters for our HazMat team, we often have to bring a number of units in,” he said. “As well, the closest local fire station always attends, naturally, so you’ll see them there. We’ll set up things like our decontamination system and have some folks on standby. It’s really standard practice to have all that in place.”
The substance that spilled is an anti-algae chemical used to purify water.
