PALM DESERT: Seven children, ages 3 to 5, injured, six hospitalized after YMCA Hazmat emergency

PALM DESERT — Seven children sustained minor injuries, including five who were hospitalized with rashes and burns to their hands and arms after officials say a janitorial service inadvertently placed a harsh, lye-based cleaning product inside hand soap dispensers at a YMCA facility, Thursday afternoon, Jan. 4.

The Hazmat emergency happened at the Jean Benson Child Development Center on the 75000 block of Orange Blossom Lane, northeast of the intersection of Cook Street and Fred Waring Drive, in Palm Desert. The facility is part of YMCA of the Desert and offers two courses for children, ages three to five, including an Early Childhood Education Preschool Program as well as a California State Preschool Program.

Twenty-eight firefighters from four engine companies and one truck Company responded to the Hazmat emergency about 12:30 p.m., after several children complained of discomfort and burning shortly after washing their hands with what they believed was hand soap, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Public Information Officer April Newman explained in an incident report. They were assisted by four paramedic squads, Riverside County Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team and Riverside County Environmental Health officials.

After assessing the children’s injuries, officials summoned a hazardous materials team to determine when and how the children had come into contact with the caustic substance.

Five children were eventually transported by ground ambulances to Eisenhower Medical Center. Additionally, one child was transported to the hospital by their parents and another was taken home by a parent who did not seek medical treatment for their child.

Riverside County Environmental Health and Riverside County Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team worked together to re-trace the children’s steps to determine what they came into contact with that caused their injuries.

The product was later determined to be Ecotemp Ultra Klene, “a janitorial strength cleaner made of sodium hydroxide,” Newman explained. Sodium hydroxide, or lye, can cause rashes and burns when it comes into contact with skin.

Palm Desert’s Emergency Services Coordinator, Eric Cadden, explained a janitor accidentally refilled hand soap dispensers used by the children with the industrial strength dish cleaner.

Officials believe the confusion and mix-up was accidental and are working with YMCA officials to ensure against something like this happening again in the future.

According to YMCA officials, the dispensers have since been removed and by evening, all victims had been released from the hospital and returned home.

 

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Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.