Nine students checked at hospital after school science experiment
Nine pupils were taken to hospital as a precaution after issues caused by a chemicals experiment in a science lesson.
The fire service was called to the science labs at Oldbury Wells School in Bridgnorth at 7.53am last Thursday after students reported eye irritation.
It followed a practical experiment on Wednesday using ethyl acetate – a required experiment from the exam board.
Sarah Godden, headteacher at the school, said: “In line with policies and procedures to ensure Health and Safety, we responded promptly on Thursday last week to an issue in our science labs. We called the fire service as a precaution last Thursday morning, before school to check a lab.
“The lab had been used for a practical experiment on Wednesday last week which is a set experiment on the A-level syllabus using ethyl acetate. It is a required experiment from the exam board.
“As a precaution, we made sure students who may or may not have had eye irritation from the experiment received a medical check at Telford A&E.
"Some of the group of pupils were given eye drops or cream.”
The fire service confirmed it attended and had sealed chemicals away in a jar.
Ethyl acetate is a colourless liquid solvent with a characteristic sweet smell and is used in glues, nail polish removers and for decaffeinating tea and coffee. Overexposure to ethyl acetate may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Severe overexposure may cause weakness, drowsiness, and unconsciousness.
