Saturday, August 27, 2016

Three in Waterville, Maine taken to hospital after apartment resident overuses bug spray containing diatomaceous earth, a fine powder that can be harmful to the lungs





Waterville firefighters and other emergency personnel respond to a report of a chemical spill Thursday at a multi-family apartment building at 270 Main St. in Waterville. The call turned out to be over-use of a bug repellent containing diatomaceous earth. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans 





Emergency responders in hazmat suits expected a chemical emergency; Fire Chief Dave LaFountain said the spray can cause problems but isn't considered that harmful, and the hospitalizations were precautions.

WATERVILLE, MAINE — Three people were taken to the hospital for evaluation after a woman oversprayed her apartment on upper Main Street with bug spray.

City fire officials responded with hazmat suits to the incident and said while the chemical would not cause serious harm, chronic exposure could cause respiratory and skin problems.




Waterville firefighters and other emergency personnel respond to a report of a chemical spill Thursday at a multi-family apartment building at 270 Main St. in Waterville. The call turned out to be over-use of a bug repellent containing diatomaceous earth. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans

Waterville firefighters and other emergency personnel respond to a report of a chemical spill Thursday at a multi-family apartment building at 270 Main St. in Waterville. The call turned out to be over-use of a bug repellent containing diatomaceous earth. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans

Multiple emergency vehicles blocked southbound traffic in front of the apartment building at 270 Main St., slowing afternoon traffic going both ways.

The Fire Department responded around 12:45 p.m. after someone in the multi-unit building complained of respiratory problems, Fire Chief David LaFountain said. Emergency responders came prepared to deal with serious phosphate chemicals, he said, but found that a resident of the apartment had just sprayed a large amount of bug spray all over her apartment because she is afraid of germs.

The names of the woman involved and those taken to the hospital were not released.

The bug spray contains diatomaceous earth, a fine powder that can be harmful to the lungs. Chronic exposure can lead to skin problems as well, LaFountain said.

Two women and one man, a maintenance worker, were in the apartment when officials responded and were treated at the scene for exposure. They were also taken to the hospital to check for further damage. One reported harm to the skin.