San Diego

Construction Causes Chemical Smell at San Diego-Area School

A construction project near a San Diego-area elementary school caused a chemical smell that led some students to complain of feeling nauseated, school officials said. 

A shelter-in-place order was issued at 9 a.m. for students and staff at Bethune K-8 School on Benjamin Holt Road.

Construction work was taking place at the corner of Paradise Valley Road and South Woodman, just beyond the campus' southern fence.

In an email to parents, Principal Valerie Jurado said the construction crew caused a chemical smell. School police, district operations and a construction crew from the city of San Diego were called to the campus to inspect the odor, Jurado said. 

"Although a few students reported feeling nauseous, they were evaluated by the nurse's office and returned to class," the principal wrote. 

The San Diego Union School District said the order was lifted at 10:15 a.m.

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