HOUSTON – Authorities are investigating after several people, including children, were being evaluated for exposure to a respiratory irritant at a private elementary school in Montgomery County.
Firefighters in Magnolia responded to Sherwood Academy in the 32800 block of Tamina Road.
According to the Montgomery County Hospital District, workers used a type of welding epoxy to repair chairs on campus when at some point several adults and children in the school reportedly fell ill.
A total of 19 people, including eight children were evaluated onsite for symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and nausea, officials said.
“It was a teacher in the upstairs space where the work was going on, started having a headache, felt like maybe someone was going on with the odor I thought he room. She came downstairs ans reported that,” said James Campbell, Chief of EMS with MCHD. “They decided it was the safest thing to call 9-1-1 which we absolutely agree with. They immediately evacuated the children and then we showed up.”
Three people were transported to an area hospital where at this time they remain in stable condition. 16 others refused transport and remain in good condition.
As of 11 a.m. Sherwood Academy is cleared to return to normal operations after the fire department conducted air quality checks, MCHD said.