‘Chemical containment’ incident leads to noticeable police, firefighter presence at RIH

KAMLOOPS — A noticeable police and firefighter presence could be seen at Royal Inland Hospital around 8:00 p.m. Wednesday (May 20) night, and Interior Health says it was related to a chemical containment incident.

The health authority said a scheduled monthly inventory check at the RIH laboratory turned up “a chemical with an altered consistency” that had to be contained and disposed of immediately. It did not provide specifics, but said the chemical’s consistency had changed since a previous inspection.

“The situation was managed promptly in accordance with established safety protocols and in conjunction with Kamloops Fire Rescue and the RCMP,” Joanne Isber, Interior Health’s program director of pathology and laboratory medicine, said in an emailed statement.

“RCMP attended and supported the safe assessment and disposal of the chemical.”