Nineteen people, including several children, fall ill after being overcome by chemicals at a California swimming pool

  • The Daland Swim School in Thousand Oaks was closed today for safety checks
  • An equipment malfunction pumped dangerous levels of chlorine into the pool
  • All the victims went to hospital for checks but are expected to fully recover

Children are among the 19 people who have fallen ill from exposure to chemical fumes at a Southern California swimming pool. 

The Ventura County Fire Department says the people were overcome by fumes Wednesday evening at Daland Swim School in Thousand Oaks, 45 minutes northwest of Los Angeles.

Seven needed medical attention immediately, including several who at first were described as being in a critical state. Some reported having trouble breathing. 

Several children were injured after being exposed to pool chemicals in Thousand Oaks, California

Several children were injured after being exposed to pool chemicals in Thousand Oaks, California

All 19 people involved in the chlorine incident were safely transported to local hospitals and are expected to make a full recovery 

All 19 people involved in the chlorine incident were safely transported to local hospitals and are expected to make a full recovery 

Fire Capt. Stan Ziegler said the fumes came from excess chlorine which was pumped into the pool after residue was left in the chemical feeder

Fire Capt. Stan Ziegler said the fumes came from excess chlorine which was pumped into the pool after residue was left in the chemical feeder

The remaining 12 had minor injuries, but were also taken to hospital as a precaution.

Nobody is thought to be in a life-threatening condition as sheriff's officials have said all are expected to recover.  

Fire Capt. Stan Ziegler said the fumes came from excess chlorine which was pumped into the pool after residue was left in the chemical feeder.  

Chlorine is used as a cleaning agent in most swimming pools as it kills unwanted bacteria.

However, exposure to dangerous levels of the chemical can cause blurred vision, red blisters, difficulty breathing, fluid in the lungs and vomiting.    

There is no immediate antidote, so treatment relies on helping the patient to breathe in other ways, such as providing supplementary oxygen and clearing the airway.  

The Daland Swim School will be closed on Thursday for safety checks, authorities said.

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