FUMES from a leaking drum of Malathion insecticide sparked a massive evacuation drive of hundreds of pupils and their teachers from the Signal Hill Government School on Valentine’s Day last week Tuesday.

Workers from the nearby Medical Transcription Center as well as from the Public Health Division, where the offending drum of the highly toxic insecticide was stored, were also sent home for the day.

Approximately 11 teachers and eight pupils were taken to the Scarborough Regional Hospital where they received treatment for exposure and inhalation of the fumes.

There were complaints of burning of the eyes, nostrils and chest as well as severe nauseous feelings among those worst hit by the deadly fumes.

The fumes, according to Principal of the school, Dr. Verleen Bobb-Lewis, spread throughout the school compound around 8.30 a.m., just as the children and teachers were about to assemble for the morning devotions.

“We all began getting a strong odour and immediately pupils began complaining of feeling sick,” related Bobb-Lewis.

“We told the pupils to return to their classrooms, collect their bags and assemble on the playing field.

“We, however, realised that the odour was intensifying and one female teacher appeared to be particularly distressed when she began vomiting uncontrollably,” she reported.

Bobb-Lewis said that calls were made for the emergency services to intervene as the situation got worse with more pupils and teachers falling ill.

“She was high in praise for the prompt response of the emergency team including the EHS Ambulance, Fire and the Police.

“Buses were dispatched from the Police and Education Division, which took the children from the school compound to the nearby Red Cross Building,” said Bobb-Lewis.

“Parents were informed via Radio Tambrin to collect their children from the school and later when all were transferred to the Red Cross building we gave an update on this on the radio,” added Bobb-Lewis. Once the entire area was cordoned off and evacuation complete, fire officers outfitted in their protective gear began working to contain the leaking drum of insecticide.

A backhoe was used to dig a hole at the back of the Public Health Division compound where the drum with the remaining insecticide was buried.

Mirror spoke to an official attached to the Secretary with responsibility for Public Health Aldington Spencer, who said that they were unaware of the problem.

“We were in a meeting at the time,” explained the official who also expressed shock that Malathion insecticide was still in storage at the Division.

“We have stopped using that insecticide following an outcry of the dangers it poses to the environment,” noted the official.

“I am really surprised that it is still being stored there,” the official declared.

Further investigations by Mirror revealed that there are hundreds of medical and scientific studies, which strongly support the idea that Malathion causes tumours, worsens asthma and allergies, kills beneficial insects and fish, causes a host of temporary and chronic illnesses and is particularly dangerous for young children and for the chronically ill.