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Sandra Yi ReportingDrug agents handling evidence were exposed to potentially dangerous chemicals this morning. It happened inside the Salt Lake County Sheriff's "Special Operations" building.
This building is SWAT team headquarters. Out back is the property and evidence room; that is where the chemical scare happened.
This morning drug agents and members of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office were going over some old evidence that is in the process of being destroyed. Somehow one of the boxes came open, releasing some chemicals.
Investigators say inside was 10-12 pounds of iodine and 10-12 ounces of red phosphorous. Those chemicals are often found in meth labs and can be dangerous when exposed to moisture and heat. Fortunately, that did not happen.
Two people were directly exposed to the chemicals, but it appears they did not inhale enough to cause any injuries. They were not showing any symptoms of exposure, but crews didn't take any chances. They say it had the potential of a dangerous situation.
Steve Foote, So. Salt Lake Fire Chief: "When these chemicals get inside your system, they're poisonous and they can do damage as far as your lung tissues, cause your lungs to swell and bleed."
Six people were exposed to the chemicals and had to go through a decontamination process. They were taken to the hospital just as a precaution, but investigators say they all appeared to be in good spirits.
Fortunately, they are trained to handle these types of situations and did exactly what they were supposed to do.
The jail is a few blocks west of the building. It was not affected by today's chemical scare.
