Kids Kept Indoors as Chemical Fumes Spread Near a Bucks School
By Pat Loeb
BRISTOL, Pa. (CBS) -- A chemical spill this morning at a Bucks County plastics plant sent acrid fumes into the air and spoiled carnival day at a nearby elementary school.
About five gallons of ethyl acrylate spilled at Arkema, a resins plant in Bristol Township. The spill was quickly contained and cleaned up, but the chemical has an extremely strong odor and can take some time to dissipate.
The smell was so strong that students at Mary Devine Elementary School -- about four miles away -- were sent inside from their annual sports carnival.
No injuries were reported, but company officials say the fumes may cause eye, skin, or respiratory irritation, and anyone in the area experiencing those symptoms should seek medical help.
Township officials were investigating the spill.