Yesterday, Seattle locals feared the worst when they saw that there was an emergency hazmat response dispatched to the Olympic Health Club with a staggering 15 emergency vehicles dispatched.

However, despite looking at the sfdlive app and seeing the pure numbers, the end result was nowhere near as bad as people expected. In short, there had been a hydrochloric acid problem which seriously affected the air quality and breathing of those inside the Olympic Health Club building.

In a testament to the response skills and safety precautions taken, 3 people were treated at the scene, with only a single person taken to hospital.

5300 block of Leary Ave NW: A third patient was treated on scene and is in stable condition. Hazmat crews identified the substance as hydrochloric acid, often used in cleaning swimming pools. The air quality inside the building is now safe for people to return.

— Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) December 1, 2023

For those unaware, Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is sometimes used in swimming pool maintenance, particularly for adjusting the pH level of the pool water. pH control is essential to maintain water quality and ensure the effectiveness of pool disinfectants, such as chlorine. Hydrochloric acid is used to lower the pH of pool water when it becomes too alkaline.

Inhaling the fumes of hydrochloric acid can be irritating to the respiratory tract and may cause coughing, difficulty breathing, and a burning sensation in the throat. In high concentrations or prolonged exposure, it can be harmful to the lungs.

Spills of hydrochloric acid should be treated as hazardous incidents. Proper ventilation is crucial if a spill occurs indoors. Individuals should leave the area and call emergency services if a significant spill or exposure occurs.

In short, this is why the building was evacuated and it took 15 emergency response vehicles just in case.