Dry ice experiment failure sends Tennessee teacher, 18 students to hospital

A teacher and 18 third-graders were sent to nearby hospitals Friday morning after a dry ice science experiment went wrong at Vena Stuart Elementary School in Tennessee. The American Sun mentionted.

All those hospitalized are in good condition, according to Sumner County Emergency Medical Services.

The majority of the students were taken to Sumner Regional Medical Center.

Emergency services issued a Code Orange alert, which is issued when a hazardous materials spill occurs, at 9:30 a.m., but it was cleared an hour later at the medical center.

“Third graders at Vena Stuart Elementary conducted routine science experiments with an outside presenter. One of the experiments involved dry ice. “After the dry ice experiment was completed, several students reported feeling sick,” Sumner County Schools said in a statement.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have contacted Sumner County Emergency Services to provide assistance,” they added.

“Eighteen students and one teacher were transported to area hospitals as a precaution. All students and the teacher are stable and in good condition,” the statement continued.

“All parents of the affected students have been notified by the school. The room where the science experiment took place has been thoroughly assessed and ventilated by the Gallatin Fire Department,” they added.

Dry ice is commonly used in school science experiments as it is a fun and educational way to demonstrate chemical reactions when done safely.

One of the dry ice safety guidelines issued by Harvard Campus Services advises against skin contact due to severe frostbite hazards and warns of possible suffocation if proper ambient temperatures are not maintained.

“Dry ice will sublimate (change from a solid to a gas) at any temperature above -109°F,” the safety guideline warns.