what not to do when your bldg. smells bad

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index.php?smp=&lang=eng


At least 17 people were overcome by a dangerous powder in a hazmat incident at a Staten Island housing complex Monday. Authorities say the incident was reported just before 12:45 p.m. in a utility room of 81 Jersey Street in the New Brighton section. The building is reportedly part of Richmond Terrace, a New York Housing Authority complex. The complex comprises six eight-story residential buildings and nearly 500 apartments, housing more than 1,300 residents. It opened in 1964. Eyewitness News reporter Jeff Rossen has more. It's almost hard to believe that all this happened because of a bad odor coming out of the building. Neighbors had been complaining about it, so workers were trying to get rid of the smell using lime powder. They used to much. The workers reportedly used so much powder they were knee deep. The dust was overwhelming and knocked one worker unconscious as it mixed with his sweat and burned his face. Firefighters rushed the workers outdoors, where they were stripped naked and doused with water inside a decontamination tent. "It's like when you use bleach in a confined area in your bathroom, you're basically creating a respiratory hazard," one firefighter said. "Depending on the product, it could be worse, if it's an industrial product."

In this case, it was industrial strength. The FDNY confirms that one person is critical and three others are in serious condition. The New York City Housing Authority says two caretakers and an assistant superintendant were among the injured. The three were reportedly trying to clean a crawlspace when they were overcome. At least one person was taken to Richmond University Medical Center, while another victim was taken to the New York-Presbyterian Weill-Cornell Burn Center in Manhattan. Of the 17 hurt, five were firefighters who suffered minor injuries. Firefighters say there is a lesson to be learned for everyone. Make sure you used the recommended amount of any cleaner product and also make sure the area you are cleaning is vented. )

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maybe they couldn't read English?

the caretakers might not have been here legally ...