Students Treated For Chemical Exposure At Peabody High School

PEABODY, MA -- Six students at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School were treated for possible exposure to sodium sulfide Monday morning, according to scanner reports. In addition to Peabody Fire Department personnel, five ambulances were called to the school.

While the cause of the illnesses was originally reported as sodium sulfide, investigators were still trying to determine the cause of what was described as a "rotten egg" odor. Fire officials cleared the building and said it was safe to enter shortly after testing the school's air quality.

The first student to report feeling ill went to the nurse's office around 8 am Monday. Six other students were later checked by medical personnel. By 9 am, the school had returned to normal operations.

Sodium sulfide, which is primarily used in the pulp and paper industry, is strongly alkaline and can cause skin burns. The compounds reacts with acids and can produce hydrogen sulfide, which is highly toxic.

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Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).