Redlynch College lab scare remains mystery
A CHEMICAL or gas leak has been ruled out as the cause of an illness that left 21 students in hospital as authorities reveal two paramedics also caught the mystery ailment.
Yesterday afternoon a specialist air tester from Brisbane Anthony Warwick said no dangerous air particles played a role in the emergency at Redlynch State College’s science lab.
About 9.45am on Tuesday, 14 year 7 science students from the class of 25 were experiencing itchy skin, dizziness and breathing problems.
By 2pm, 21 students were being treated at Cairns Base Hospital with all teenagers discharged by 7.30pm that night.
Most of the students have since returned to school with Mr Warwick only finding traces of floral odours, fabric softeners and sanitisers in his tests.
Mr Warwick, who is doing the air tests for Education Queensland, said dust from exposure to plants or pests may have triggered the illness, but did not think these theories were likely.
It comes amid new revelations two paramedics who did not go into the lab but had contact with affected children also became ill.
"Two paramedics were affected for about an hour from their exposure to students and they didn’t enter the building," Smithfield Fire Station officer Greg Strettles said.
The mystery took another turn with Trish Holland, who was teaching the science theory class,
revealing the illness struck students in a domino effect.
"It seemed to start from the back and work along and then come to the next row and work along," Ms Holland said of the pattern of symptoms.
The science lab, which is a part of a creative technologies block, has not been painted or altered since it was opened three years ago.
The event at Redlynch is similar to a 2005 mysterious illness that caused breathing problems, dizziness, nausea, headache and vomiting in 57 people at Melbourne’s domestic airport.
A gas leak was blamed for the incident but investigations found no dangerous air particles.
Sociologist Robert Bartholomew, who wrote a report on the Melbourne airport incident, which was published in The Medical Journal of Australia, said a mass anxiety attack could be behind the Redlynch event.
The science lab is expected to reopen after the Easter holidays.
Share this article
Testing: Officers continue air quality testing at Redlynch State College yesterday after Tuesday's science lab scare. Picture: Marc McCormack
Cane toads on Cairns restaurant menu
A CAIRNS restaurant is pleading with the public for cane toads to help satisfy growing demand for a new menu item.
Offers open on Cairns swingers club
A NOTORIOUS bed and breakfast that was to become Australia's first swingers resort is about to go under the hammer.
Bluewater housing protestors step up fight
A PRIVATE investigator hired by cashed up Bluewater residents has discovered the block of land sold to the State Government for a public housing project is under a court order to be used as a road.
Dental students call for patients
PEOPLE sick of waiting years for an appointment with a public dentist may be able to skip the waiting list at James Cook University.
Tell the world why you love Cairns
FORGET Lara Bingle and Nicole Kidman, Tourism Australia's latest campaign is all about YOU.
