Gas leak sends plumber to TMC

David Scheerens, 41, a UA plumbing shop employee, was working in the building and was taken to Tucson Medical Center after he complained of a headache and sore throat, said Lt. Brian Seastone, University of Arizona Police Department spokesman.

Scheerens was treated and released.

Randy Ogden, Tucson Fire Department spokesman, said a UA employee smelled gas at the laboratory and pulled a fire alarm.

The fire department's hazardous materials team spent 45 minutes in the lab but was unable to find a trace of chemicals or gas, Ogden said. He said the building was ventilated with fresh air.

The laboratory is overseen by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

David Sewell, associate editor of Radiocarbon, an international research journal housed next to the lab, said about 20 people were evacuated from the building for about three hours.

Herb Wagner, assistant director of the Department of Risk Management and Safety, said acids, solvents, bases and compressed gases are kept at the lab. He said the lab's chemicals could be found in a "general chemistry lab."

The chemicals are toxic and can cause health problems, Wagner said.