Fumes Cause Evacuation on EFSC Cocoa Campus

A health sciences building on Eastern Florida State College’s Cocoa campus was evacuated Monday after a chemical was apparently poured into a sink and sent fumes into classrooms.

No one was seriously injured in the incident.

Some 31 people were examined at the scene for possible chemical exposure. Most declined treatment while seven were taken to local hospitals as a precaution with symptoms such as dizziness and nausea.

All were treated and released.

The incident occurred about 10:30 a.m. in the Health Sciences Center, Building 20, which is used to teach health care programs.

The Cocoa Police Department, Cocoa Fire Department and Brevard Fire-Rescue immediately responded.

The Brevard Fire-Rescue Hazardous Materials team conducted comprehensive air tests inside the building and determined that someone apparently poured chemicals into a sink in a darkroom that is used to develop dental X-rays in the Dental Lab.

That caused the fumes that triggered the evacuation, officials said.

Additional tests found no toxins in the air and the Hazardous Materials team declared the building safe for occupancy.

The darkroom has been sealed and will not be used until more tests are conducted to ensure it is safe.

The Health Sciences Center remained closed for the rest of Monday and all classes there were cancelled.

The building will reopen at 7 a.m. Tuesday when classes will resume.