Chemical Mix Puts Woman In Hospital

A home remedy to kill poison ivy sent a 53-year-old woman to Griffin Hospital Wednesday afternoon. 

At about 4 p.m. firefighters were sent to a house on North Coe Lane where a woman was having trouble breathing.

The woman had mixed bleach and muriatic acid in a container in her kitchen and was planning to use it on the ivy.

Muriatic acid is a corrosive solution used to clean bricks.

She inhaled some of the gas, then rushed outside with the container to get fresh air, Ansonia Fire Chief Michael Eheman said.

She caught her breath and began using the chemical mix, but was still having respiratory problems.

She entered her house again, where the fumes were still heavy. She opened the windows to air the place out.

Then she grabbed her phone and called 911,” Eheman said.

The woman initially refused medical treatment. Emergency personnel eventually convinced her to get checked out at Griffin.

Firefighters used large fans to rid the gas from the house. A Derby hazmat team, armed with material to neutralize the chemical, were called to the scene, as was an official from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

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