Paint chemicals cause mass evacuation of Nebraska Medical Center

A strong chemical odor coming from paint used at a nearby parking garage caused Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha to evacuate about 350 people due to eye and lung irritation, Omaha World-Herald reports.

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Emergency dispatchers were called to the hospital campus at 9:50 a.m. Tuesday to investigate a possible natural gas leak. Emergency responders traced the odor to chemicals and sealant painters used in a parking garage near the Durham Outpatient Center.

Officials evacuated about 350 staff members and patients from the outpatient center. All Tuesday afternoon appointments at the center were canceled, according to the article.

Hospital officials expect operations to return to normal Wednesday.

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