UPDATED: Baptist Health issues press release on Wednesday incident at Family Fitness center

UPDATE: Baptist Health sent out the following press release after Wednesday’s incident at the Family Fitness center in Corbin:

11 treated for exposure to chemical fumes; Baptist Health Family Fitness closes pool temporarily 

(Corbin, KY) – Eleven people were treated at Baptist Health Corbin this morning (Wednesday) for possible respiratory issues as a result of a pool pump malfunction releasing chemical fumes at Baptist Health Family Fitness.

The swimming pool at Baptist Health Family Fitness – which the hospital owns – was closed as a precaution and will reopen when the pump has been evaluated and cleared, however the Fitness center is expected to reopen tomorrow (Thursday, July 2).

During a swimming class this morning, it was noticed that the pool pump had inadvertently shut off. When staff restarted the pump, it emitted a small amount of Muriatic acid fumes into the air. (Muriatic  acid is used to maintain proper pH in pools.)

The instructor and the class participants noticed the chemical smell. The staff were immediately notified and the pool was evacuated.  West Knox Fire Department was contacted to come to Baptist Health Family Fitness. Laurel County EMS also arrived. As a precaution, staff and members were decontaminated on site. Eleven people were evaluated and released after treatment at Baptist Health Corbin.

“Our first concern is always for the health and safety of our guests, whether in our fitness facility or in our hospital,” said Baptist Health Corbin President Larry Gray. “We apologize for any discomfort or inconvenience this incident caused our members and are working to get the pool back in operation as soon as possible.”

Baptist Health Family Fitness will remain closed today (Wednesday) to continue to air out the building but is expected to reopen tomorrow (Thursday, July 2). 

ORIGINAL: Baptist Family Fitness in Corbin will be closed for the remainder of the day Wednesday after five swimmers had to be taken to the hospital for respiratory problems.

Emergency personnel on the scene from the West Knox Fire Department said that five adults were transported to Baptist Health Corbin with respiratory problems after entering the pool area at the fitness center Wednesday morning. It is believed that the victims attempted to swim just after the pool had been treated with chlorine. The fumes from the newly added chlorine were too strong they said, resulting in the medical emergency.

Nobody in the gym portion of the fitness center was affected, but as a precautionary measure no one will be allowed in the building for the remainder of the day. Plans are to open up again as normal on Thursday, after it is certain that no harmful fumes are still present. 

The West Knox Fire Department were assisted Wednesday by Laurel County Rescue and ambulance service and East Bernstadt emergency personnel, who brought with them a meter used to check air levels inside the facility.