Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Seven injured in chemical leak at U of M lab

ST. PAUL (AP) — A chemical leak on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota sent seven people to the hospital Monday night, authorities said.

Campus police said the potassium hydroxide leak was reported around 10 p.m. at a veterinary diagnostic lab. The lab and two other veterinary buildings were closed due to the spill.

St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard said the seven were taken to Regions Hospital for treatment of eye irritation after 5 gallons of potassium hydroxide leaked from a large tank where the body of a dead horse was being processed. Their injuries were not critical, he said.

Hazardous-materials crews quickly cleaned up the spill, but remained on campus early today to finish the work, university spokesman Drew Swaim said.

Potassium hydroxide is a strong alkali that can cause serious burns. It's used at the lab to speed the disintegration of the bodies of dead animals.

The cause of the leak was under investigation.

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