Chemical Odor Scare at Northeast High School

Correction: This article originally stated that the odor was reported at Chesapeake High School. It also originally stated that classes were dismissed. The odor was reported at Northeast High School, and while parents and guardians may pick up students from the school classes have not been officially dismissed.

Northeast Senior High School in Pasadena was evacuated this morning after reports of a chemical odor.

Cpt. James Rostek with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department said that the first reports of the odor came at 9:29 this morning. The fire department's hazardous materials team was dispatched to the school and the cause was determined to be an organic solvent that was used on the floor tiles overnight.

Rostek said that the solvent was only known to be an irritant.

As of this writing, students were being picked up by parents and guardians but school was not dismissed.

Two adults reported nausea but refused further treatment. Another adult reported nausea and accepted treatment at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. Four students reported nausea as well and were treated by the school nurse.

Rostek said that the fire department is in contact with the contractor who used the solvent in question.

"It's basically just an odor issue right now," said Rostek. "We're just doing ventilation cleanup."