GEORGE TOWN: Thirteen SMK Bayan Lepas students suffered breathing difficulties after their science experiment went awry.
The 9am incident took place when the students were heating liquid iodine.
Due to poor ventilation in the laboratory, the heated iodine which had turned into gas was inhaled by the students who experienced breathing difficulties.
State Fire and Rescue Department zone II chief Mohamad Shahrul Nizam Che Hasan said a distress call was received at 9.57am and a team of firemen was immediately dispatched to the scene with a medical team.
“Upon arriving at the school, the team administered early treatment to the affected students,” he said.
“The 11 female and two male students were given oxygen and were monitored for any further reaction.
“One female student was sent to Penang Hospital for further treatment.”
He said the other students were sent home.
Shahrul said seven firemen from the Bayan Baru fire and rescue station had aired out the lab.
“No hazmat (hazardous materials) unit was called for help as it did not involve dangerous chemicals,” he said.