COLUMBUS, Neb. — Eight people were taken to the hospital in Nebraska after being exposed to chlorine at a water park, fire officials said Monday.
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The Columbus Fire Department in Columbus, Nebraska, said they were called to Pawnee Plunge around 2:55 p.m. about a drowning. When they got to the water park, they found “multiple patients who had been exposed to chlorine gas,” according to a press release.
A total of 12 people were seen by first responders, with eight going to the hospital and four not wanting to be taken by ambulance. It’s unclear the conditions of the people taken to the hospital.
The chlorine gas was caused by “normal” and reoccurring daily back-flow procedures, according to the press release.
“It is believed that during this process, an air bubble containing chlorine was released, which is atypical according to Plunge staff,” the press release said.
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It’s unclear how much chlorine gas people were exposed to.
Pawnee Plunge was temporarily shut down while people were checked out by medical responders, but the park reopened once the incident was cleared.
Chlorine is a liquid or gas that has a strong smell and is primarily used in pools to sanitize water. The chemical dissolves in water and can kill bacteria, algae, viruses and parasites, according to the American Chemical Council.
The Columbus Fire Department said anyone who has been exposed to chlorine gas to move to fresh air and loosen tight-fitting clothing, remove exposed clothes and shower as soon as possible, seek medical attention if experiencing difficulty breathing, chest tightness or persistent coughing.
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