Hazmat response for ‘radioactive breach’ in Seattle’s First Hill
May 3, 2019, 6:22 AM
(KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
A Seattle Fire Department hazmat team is on the scene of a small radioactive material breach near Terrance Street and Terry Avenue in Seattle’s First Hill Neighborhood.
The breach occurred around 10:30 p.m. Thursday while the radioactive substance was being transported from Harborview Hall.
Contract workers were in the process of removing Cesium Chloride Salt, which contains the radioactive isotope cesium-137 from the building.
Seattle Fire says the affected area has been isolated and there is no danger to the public.
A total of 13 people tested positive for radiation exposure. Of those exposed, eight will be transported to the hospital. None of them have shown any symptoms. The other five have been decontaminated cleared to leave the scene.
Harborview Hall was an unused building on the Harborview Medical Center Main Campus, until it became a homeless shelter late last year.
Cesium Chloride Salt has the consistency of talcum powder and is used to prevent potentially fatal complications during blood transfusions.
