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The Maui News
The Kahului Walmart was evacuated Wednesday after fumes from a floor sealing product forced the store to air out the building before bringing customers back in.
According to the Maui Fire Department, a contractor had been applying the product to the floors of the store. The floor sealant was "off-gassing as it dried, releasing volatile organic compounds that were a respiratory irritant," the Fire Department said. The liquid is an irritant when it comes in contact with exposed skin.
Acting information officer Chris Stankis said Wednesday evening that the work had been completed before the store opened and the chemical was drying. Emergency crews received the call at 8:13 a.m.
Walmart was evacuated as a precaution until the level of fumes were reduced by management ventilating the building.
One female patient was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center for respiratory difficulty. A male patient was treated at the scene for skin irritation after coming in contact with the product.
Fewer than 5 gallons of the product had been sprayed on the floor, according to the Fire Department.
Rescue and hazmat crews from Kahului and a battalion chief responded to the scene to monitor the air quality of the building and ensure fumes had reached safe levels before the store reopened. Crews gave clearance at around 4 p.m., according to Stankis.
The store reopened for customers and employees, and Walmart management was working with the contractors to ensure that the incident does not happen again, the Fire Department said.