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Chemical Spill at Iowa Hospital Operating Room
Hazmat crews respond to formaldehyde incident, one staff member injured
Published on Feb. 4, 2026
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Emergency crews, including hazardous materials personnel, were called to the operating room area at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center on Tuesday morning following a chemical spill involving formaldehyde. While no patients were affected, one staff member was injured and treated in the hospital's emergency department.
Why it matters
Chemical spills in hospital settings can pose serious risks to both staff and patients, requiring a swift and coordinated response to contain exposure and ensure safety. This incident highlights the importance of proper hazardous material handling protocols in medical facilities.
The details
The spill occurred around 8:45 a.m. in the surgery department, where the chemical known as formalin is commonly used for preserving tissue samples. The SEIRMC hazmat team worked alongside the West Burlington Fire Department to contain, neutralize, and safely clean up the substance, preventing any additional exposure. The affected operating room has since been taken out of service.
- The chemical spill occurred around 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.
The players
Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center
A regional hospital serving southeast Iowa.
SEIRMC hazmat team
The hospital's hazardous materials response team.
West Burlington Fire Department
The local fire department that assisted in the response.
What’s next
The hospital will investigate the cause of the spill and review its hazardous material handling protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The takeaway
This incident underscores the importance of robust safety measures and emergency preparedness in medical facilities, where the proper management of hazardous substances is crucial to protecting the health and well-being of staff and patients.
