A chemical that caused three people to be sent to hospital following a spill in Christchurch last week has been identified
Emergency services were called to Coleridge St in Sydenham before 4pm on Thursday, October 15, after three people were “overcome by chemicals”.
One person was taken to hospital in a critical condition, while two others were in a moderate condition.
Today, a Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson confirmed the incident involved a spill of around 200L of trichloroethylene.
Trichloroethylene is a liquid primarily used as a solvent to remove grease from metal parts. The chemical had a sweet, chloroform-like odour.
Moderate exposure could cause headaches, loss of balance, and tremors, according to Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
“Larger exposures will cause dizziness or sleepiness, and may cause unconsciousness at very high levels. Very large exposures may cause irreversible cardiac problems, nerve and liver damage, and death.”
Trichloroethylene has also been identified as a “probable human carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
As it was a central nervous system depressant, the chemical was historically used as an anaesthetic for surgery.