Khaberni - After an incident involving a chemical spill inside a laboratory at a private school in the Jordanian capital Amman, questions have resurfaced regarding the extent to which schools adhere to guidelines concerning the storage of chemical substances and the handling of these materials by educational staff.
The incident, which occurred today and resulted in several students and teachers being hospitalized due to respiratory distress, prompted the Ministry of Environment to intervene in coordination with the Civil Defense and Public Security, where it was handled and identified as "Ammonia" (Ammonia).
What is ammonia?
Ammonia is known as a colorless gaseous chemical compound with a strong pungent odor, used in laboratories for various purposes related to chemical experiments. It poses a hazard as it irritates the respiratory system, and can cause symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and eye irritation, especially in individuals suffering from respiratory diseases like asthma.
According to approved standards, the storage of ammonia inside laboratories should be in tightly sealed containers, kept out of students' reach, and in well-ventilated areas, along with available Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and clear, updated emergency procedures.
In light of the recurrence of such incidents, questions are raised about the extent of compliance by schools—both public and private—with the Ministry of Education's guidelines on managing chemical substances in science laboratories, the activation of school safety teams, and the training of educational staff on handling hazardous materials.
Another question arises regarding the oversight of the suitability of chemical substances stored in schools, the procedures for disposal of expired substances, the necessity of conducting periodic surveys to ensure storage safety, and providing a safe educational environment for students.
The Ministry of Education, for its part, confirmed through its minister, Dr. Azmi Mahafaza, that all affected individuals are in good health and have left the hospital except for one student who suffers from asthma, while also commending the rapid response of the Civil Defense personnel in dealing with the incident and evacuating the students and teachers.
The Ministry of Environment confirmed that it has formed a specialized field team to monitor laboratory conditions in schools, and to conduct inspection tours to verify the storage methods and safety of chemical substances in cooperation with educational and security authorities.
