Chalk Dust Causes Evacuation of Sandy Springs Middle School Classroom

From Sandy Springs Police Capt. Steve Rose

Just after 1 p.m., Monday, Sandy Springs Police and Fire responded to Sandy Springs Middle School, 8750 Pride Place in response to numerous complaints by students of severe eye irritation. The complaints came from one classroom of 22 students. 

Three kids were transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Hospital with complaints of eye irritation. 

Sandy Springs Fire officials determined the source of the student’s eye irritation was calcium carbonate, also known as chalk dust. It is not known how the dust caused the problems in the classroom which was the only room where the students were affected. 

Emergency personnel cleared the area at approximately 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.