This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Ammonia accidentally mixed with cleaning chemicals may be to blame for nearly a dozen students suddenly falling ill at the Mountainland Applied Technology College in Spanish Fork on Monday.
Spanish Fork police Lt. Matt Johnson said emergency responders were dispatched to the technical and trade school about 10 a.m. Monday. In all, 11 students — nine from the cosmetology laboratory and two from the dental lab — were taken to local hospitals.
After examination, testing and treatment for dizziness and nausea the students were released.
The school was evacuated during the incident, but classes resumed Tuesday after MATC was given the all clear.
Johnson said initial fears of carbon monoxide poisoning proved unfounded. Utility and firefighter sampling ruled the gas out, and no other chemical leaks were found, either.
While still not determined the official cause, officials were leaning toward the ammonia-cleaning chemicals use on Tuesday.
School officials will monitor the 11 students, and watch for any other similar student body illnesses and notify SFPD of any further problems, Johnson said.
On its Facebook page, the school emphasized that both Questar and Spanish Fork firefighters had cleared the 210 S. 693 W. (Del Monte Road) campus for resumption of normal operations.
Twitter: @remims