NJ Man's Mishandling Of Pool Chemicals Hospitalizes 6, AG Says

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Passaic County man is one of several being charged following a chain of "reckless" behavior from a pool company and its employees that left six people hospitalized, authorities said.

Ziad Natshe, 45, of Clifton, and his employer, Arch Pool Management, of Mahwah, face several charges following an incident at a fitness center and spa.

According to officials, Arch Pool Management employed Natshe to maintain a North Brunswick fitness center's pool, spa equipment, and chemicals in July.

Officials said Natshe failed to maintain "legible and legally required labels" on containers of hazardous materials, including hydrochloric acid and sodium hypochlorite (a potentially toxic chloride solution).

On July 16, Jonathan Ball, 53, of Willingboro, also charged in this case, was delivering sodium hypochlorite to the fitness center and ended up filling a mislabeled barrel that contained hydrochloric acid.

The combination of the chemicals created a toxic gas that was released from the spa equipment and chemical room, causing serious bodily injury to at least one person and significant bodily injury to at least five people.

Natshe is charged with one count of second-degree risking widespread injury or damage. He and his employer, Arch Pool Management, were each 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.

Ball is charged with third-degree risking widespread injury or damage.

“The defendants in this case are charged with recklessly handling chemicals in the course of maintaining a health club pool,” said Division of Criminal Justice Interim Director Martha Nye. “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.”