Several Chicago public elementary school students on the Northwest side became ill by possibly breathing in carbon monoxide on Friday.
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It was not immediately clear what caused the high carbon monoxide levels or how high they were.
Ernst Prussing Elementary School was evacuated for “abnormally high” carbon monoxide levels after several kids complained of feeling ill.
Upon arrival the found toxic air and a high, elevated reading of a carbon monoxide in the school, according to the fire department.
A message on the school website said that “an environmental condition” discovered around 10:15 a.m. (11:15 a.m. ET) “required us to evacuate the school building”.
A few students were bused to Smyser Elementary nearby while others waited in mobile homes setup behind the school.
Fire department officials said 71 children and eight adults were treated for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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All were suffering non-life threatening illnesses and generally had symptoms including dizziness, nausea and abdominal pain, he said.
