ORANGE, MASS. (WHDH) - At least ten students at Dexter Park Elementary School in Orange were taken to the hospital Tuesday after ingesting gum containing high levels of pepper, officials said.
Officials discussed the incident in a letter to parents and caregivers that was shared by Orange police. The Orange superintendent of schools as well as the police and fire rescue EMS departments issued a joint statement later Tuesday evening providing additional details.
Officials said a student bought the gum online before offering it to other students during recess.
Some of those who consumed the gum experienced burning in their esophagus and mouth, according to officials. Others who touched the gum but didn’t eat it had eye and skin irritation.
One mother said her daughter only smelled the gum and was taken to the hospital with red and swollen cheeks.
“Appropriate action was taken to ensure the safety of our students,” officials said on Tuesday.
The situation remained under investigation a day later on Wednesday.
Officials said “appropriate disciplinary action” will be taken once the investigation is completed.
Orange Fire Chief James Young spoke after this incident, saying the gum was “equivalent to basically what is commonly referred to as pepper spray.”
“So, it’s a very spicy or hot agent that kids were exposed to,” Young said.
(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)