EAST FISHKILL – Seventeen eighth graders and a female custodian were taken to St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie after a four ounce bottle of sulfuric acid solution spilled in a science lab at Van Wyck Junior High School in East Fishkill on Wednesday afternoon.

There were 29 students, ages 13 and 14 in the classroom at the time of the 1:20 p.m. incident, said Interim Wappingers Central School District Superintendent Marco Pochintesta.

“All of those who sustained contact with the chemical, either by skin contact or through the air, were decontaminated before being taken by ambulances to the hospital. All of the injuries were reported to be minor”, Pochintesta said.

Immediately after the chemical was spilled, Dutchess County 911 and East Fishkill Police were called with emergency responders converging on the school.

Pochintesta praised the emergency personnel who responded immediately and treated those who came in contact with the chemical.