Cops and Homeland Security investigating possible water contamination at South Boston High School

[Ian David]

BOSTON -- Police and Homeland Security are investigating a possible deliberate contamination of a water cooler at South Boston High School.

The contaminated water cooler is in the main hallway of the school, and someone allegedly put epsom salt in the water, officials said.

A female student even went to fill her water bottle, but was told by another student that the water was poisonous.

More:
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO44732/


See also:


Magnesium sulfate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Magnesium sulfate is a chemical compound containing magnesium, with the formula MgSO4. It is often encountered as the heptahydrate, MgSO4·7H2O, commonly called Epsom salt or Epsom salts. Anhydrous magnesium sulfate is used as a drying agent. Since the anhydrous form is deliquescent and therefore harder to weigh accurately, the hydrate is often preferred when preparing solutions, for example in medical preparations. Epsom salts have traditionally been used as a component of bath salts.

<snip>

Medical use

Locally it may be used as a treatment of an ingrown nail. Oral magnesium sulfate, or magnesium hydroxide, is used as a laxative. Epsom salts are also available in a gel form for topical application in treating aches and pains. Intravenous use is broadening, as magnesium sulfate reduces striated muscle contractions and blocks peripheral neuromuscular transmission by reducing acetylcholine release at the myoneural junction, as well as other effects.

More:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epsom_salt

[havocmom]

1. Investigate water coolers, underfund EPA

DHS marches on!

Jeeze, one would think the local law enforcement could do an investigation of laxatives in the water cooler.

DHS fingers in everything, except investigating the real terrorist threats of Cheney's office.

[Ian David]

2. My guess is that the cops said DHS was investigating the issue..

to scare the beejezus out of the perp, encouraging them to confess and get out of REAL trouble.

Then again, it COULD be that DHS really DOES have that much time on their hands.

[havocmom]

4. Thinking they just like photo/headline ops more than actually doing anything.

So long as the huge majority of cargo containers come into US ports without real inspections, I doubt their resolve to really keep the Homeland secure. They like showy things but avoid spending money tohire boots on the ground to do real nuts and bolts security.

As to time on their hands (and money to burn), think back to the big MEETING Tom Ridge had in Hawaii before leaving Public Service and that airport screeners recruitment extravaganza far from Denver but in a very posh resort/spa. They had a dismal showing of prospective applicants, possibly because real working people looking for jobs can't make it out of town to resort destinations? ;)

[madrchsod]

3. lite brights,exploding traffic counters,and now----

epsom salts in a high school water cooler. is it something in the beans?

[Ian David]

5. Update: Tainted water sickens two school workers

March 2, 2007

BOSTON
Two employees of a high school in South Boston were treated and released at a hospital Wednesday after drinking from a water cooler that contained "a white substance" in one of the school's second - floor hallways, police said.

School police from Excel High School notified Boston police about the water cooler around 12:30 p.m. Two unidentified school employees who said they drank the water described it as strange tasting.

The substance was identified as magnesium sulfate or Epsom salts, an FDA-licensed laxative that can be used in bathwater or cosmetics.

Police could not say why they were in the water cooler. The incident is under investigation.

More:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/03/02/tainted_water_sickens_two_school_workers/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+City%2FRegion+News