Chemical Removal Update - Successfully Taken From Campus

Chemical removal update - Successfully taken from campus

Riverside County safety personnel have successfully removed the hazardous chemical from Palmer Hall. The material has been transported to a site off campus, and it will be safely destroyed today.

Classes resume today, Friday, February 12, 2010 as scheduled in Sierra Vista, Price, Palmer and Cossentine Halls. We thank you for your prayers for the safety of our students and campus during this situation.

The University at around 10 pm last night cooperated with Riverside County personnel to remove some hazardous materials from Palmer Hall. The material has been in a Palmer Hall chemical storage area for an indeterminate time, but was discovered during a routine annual safety reinspection by Riverside Fire Department. The University was told to dispose of the chemical, and has been working with a hazardous waste material firm to remove the substance. The firm safely packed the material in liquid, and in a safety drum, and found a company to transport the chemical.

Last night the Riverside Fire Department notified the Riverside County Hazardous Materials Inspector of the chemical's presence in Palmer Hall, and the Haz Mat professionals determined that the container needed to be removed from the campus yesterday. Physical Plant notified Security at 5 pm that Riverside County personnel were enroute. Security evacuated Sierra Vista Hall, Palmer Hall, Price Hall, and Cossentine Hall, and the parking lot surrounding that area of the campus, completing the evacuation process in 45 minutes.

The University cooperated with Riverside County personnel to facilitate the removal process. Safety experts evaluated the situation, and brought in additional equipment. They expected to complete the removal from Palmer before midnight. For safety precautions, residents of rooms in Angwin and Gladywn Halls facing the Science Park area were moved to their dorm lobby areas shortly before the removal process began. Residents of the homes along the parking lot were notified as well.

Larry Becker

Executive Director, University Relations

La Sierra University

4500 Riverwalk Parkway

Riverside, CA 92515

951-785-2460 office

951-334-7175 cell

lbecker@lasierra.edu