Chemical exposure and severe overreaction

[antechinus]

This article from the Globe and Mail describes how

Six students at a York Region high school were taken to hospital yesterday after being exposed to a toxic chemical in what police say was a vicious prank.

And what was this toxic chemical…

Students at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic high school are believed to have been exposed to potassium permanganate, a toxic substance often used in chemistry experiments.

It was on handrails and doornobs.

What a bunch of hypochandriacs people are these days. Potassium permanganate is an irritant in large amounts - it is not toxic with this sort of minor exposure.

Shheeesh. Maybe there is a connection with now postponed exams. :rolleyes:

[aruvqan]

? Isn’t that the stuff you used to brush your teeth with after a root canal?

I seem to remember it in the med cabinet at my grandfathers house.

Though having worked in a chemical factory, and different nuke plants, both as an inside/outside mechanic, general labor and hazmat tech I have been exposed to a lot of different chemicals over the years I worked in industry that would have most people freaked out. Heck, when I first worked in a machine shop, they tested valves in an open bath of methyl chloroform… :eek:

[antechinus]

I wouldnt be surprised.

It used to be used as a topical antiseptic. I think it was also a snake bite cure.

Substances just seem to be getting more and more toxic as time goes on.

[Larry_Mudd]

The article in the Toronto Star has a particularly dispair-inducing quote:

Lori Lisi, a teacher at the school, said the building was slowly evacuated, one classroom at a time. […]

“You’re nervous for your kids,” said Lisi. “It’s the unknown that’s frightening.”

Thanks, Teach. :rolleyes: