Roughly 150 people connected with North Mac Intermediate School were sent to Springfield area hospitals Monday following a carbon monoxide leak.
“There are unconfirmed reports of over 400 parts per million of CO inside the school,” said Springfield Fire Chief Ken Fustin, whose department assisted.
Fustin says the culprit was a faulty pipe on a water heater.
The Centers for Disease Control says carbon monoxide measuring between 150 and 200 parts per million can result in “disorientation, unconsciousness, and death.”
Memorial Medical Center treated 72 people, both adults and children. No one was admitted.
“Parents or guardians of North Mac students can call to see if their child is being treated at Memorial by calling 217-788-3333,” said Memorial in a news release. “Those calling must provide the first and last name of the student, gender and date of birth.”
“Family who arrive at the hospital should check-in at the registration desk in the Memorial Medical Center Emergency Department entrance (corner of Rutledge and Dodge Streets).”
Parent Adam Avera says he went to pick up his daughter, Kalli, as soon as he heard the news. He says students were tested on scene by EMT’s and were given either a red sticker to signify symptoms are present, or a green sticker, which means no symptoms were present.
“I just know what happened with my child,” said Avera. “Thank God we [got] a green sticker.”
Given the rapidly developing situation, Avera says he has “no complaints” with how North Mac handled the situation.
St. John’s says 46 came in, three of whom were admitted. They’re said to be in good condition.
The Carlinville Area Hospital says 27 people sought treatment there.
A spokeswoman at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield says no one was taken there.
Students not taken to local hospitals were taken to nearby churches where they were being monitored for signs of illness.