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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Deicer fumes affect Sea-Tac passengers

Associated Press
SEATAC — Fumes from a chemical used to deice airplanes got into the passenger cabin of an Alaska Airlines plane today at Sea-Tac Airport and irritated the eyes of passengers and the crew, officials said. Paramedics treated 26 people and seven — all five crew members and two other airline employees on board — decided to go to a hospital, said airline spokeswoman Caroline Boren. None of the injuries appeared serious. All 143 passengers decided to board another plane and continue their flight, she said. The problem developed as Flight 528 was preparing to take off for a flight to Burbank, Calif. Boren said there have been no other deicer problems during a week of snow in the Seattle area. Boren said it’s unknown how the fumes entered the plane. Doors are normally closed during deicing and the ventilation system is running.