Mahwah-Based Swimming Pool Company Indicted After Toxic Gas Injures 6 At NJ Gym

MAHWAH, NJ — Two New Jersey residents and a Mahwah-based pool company were indicted last week after toxic gas injured at least six people at a gym.

Two men and the pool maintenance company were indicted for allegedly mixing up pool chemicals and causing injuries at a North Brunswick fitness club, Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice announced Thursday.

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United Pools of New Jersey Inc., doing business as Arch Pool Management (United Pools), of Mahwah, was among those indicted. The company was charged with a count of third-degree risking widespread injury or damage.

Ziad Natshe, 45, of Clifton, was indicted on one count of second-degree risking widespread injury or damage. Jonathan Ball, 53, of Willingboro was also charged with one count of third-degree risking widespread injury or damage.

Natshe and United Pools were also charged with one third-degree and one fourth-degree count of a knowing violation or failure to perform a duty imposed by law intended to protect public safety resulting in bodily injury.

According to state officials, on July 16, 2026, Natshe was employed by United Pools to maintain the pool and spa equipment and chemicals for a fitness center in North Brunswick.

Natshe allegedly failed to maintain legible and legally required labels on containers of hazardous materials including hydrochloric (also known as muriatic) acid and sodium hypochlorite (a chlorine solution used in commercial pools), as required by multiple regulations.

"As a result of Natshe's allegedly reckless handling and storage of hazardous materials, toxic gas was released from the spa equipment and chemical room after a sodium hypochlorite delivery was placed in a container of muriatic acid, causing serious bodily injury to at least one person and significant bodily injury to at least five people," said the Attorney General's Office Thursday.

On July 16, 2026, Ball delivered sodium hypochlorite to the fitness center.

According to state officials, "Before the delivery, and contrary to his training, he allegedly failed to adequately assess whether the container he intended to fill contained sodium hypochlorite. United Pools allegedly failed to maintain a safe work environment by failing to ensure the legal and proper labels on the containers."

Davenport said, "The conduct that resulted in these charged involved more than a simple mistake by one person. We allege multiple failures that led to injuries. The law is in place to prevent incidents like this, and we will continue to enforce the law to keep people safe."

Department of Criminal Justice Interim Director Martha Nye said, "These are chemicals that when mishandled, as we allege in this case, can cause serious injury. Our office is committed to protecting the public from preventable danger like this."

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree offenses carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000, officials said.