Fumes sicken Planned Parenthood workers
SARASOTA (FOX 13) - Emergency crews responding to a Planned Parenthood facility in Sarasota say cleaning solution and even baby food may be responsible for a building-wide evacuation that began when several workers were sickened.
Hazardous materials teams were called to the office building on Central Avenue after several people began experiencing respiratory symptoms including shortness of breath. They evacuated 42 people -- seven of whom ended up being taken to the hospital for evaluation.
The nearby Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences was also put on lockdown as a precaution.
Police now say it appears that unspecified cleaning chemicals were the source of the noxious fumes. A hazmat team is in the process of pulling the chemicals from the building and identifying them.
"At this time, there is no criminal investigation," a police statement added.
The extent of the workers' illness was not immediately clear. Their co-workers are expected to return to the building later this afternoon.
Meanwhile, police said an unknown substance found in a stairwell has been determined to be baby food. They suspect it was spilled in the process of the evacuation and may have contributed to the initial uncertainty at the scene.
Stay with FOX 13 for any updates.