A formaldehyde leak at Prince of Wales Hospital on Monday prompted the evacuation of about 180 staff members from the Department of Clinical Pathology, with three employees feeling unwell and seeking treatment.
The incident occurred around noon when formaldehyde reportedly leaked during transport handled by a chemical waste contractor. The hospital immediately sealed off the affected area and alerted the Fire Services Department and police for assistance.
Before firefighters arrived, staff from the department were evacuated as a precaution. The three affected employees were treated at the emergency department and are in stable condition.
The hospital said staff have since returned to work safely, though some employees from the affected department have been temporarily reassigned. Clinical services were not disrupted.
A hospital spokesman said the incident is being taken seriously. The contractor responsible for chemical waste transport has been instructed to submit an investigation report promptly and implement improvement measures.
The hospital added that it will provide support to any affected staff and has reported the case to the Hospital Authority through the early incident notification system.
Prince of Wales Hospital emphasized that strict guidelines are in place governing the storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals.
