Acid Vapors Suspected in Stony Brook Southampton Hazmat Scare

Acid vapors venting from a bottle inside a research laboratory's fume hood were the likely source of fumes that sent two university police officers to the hospital Friday and caused a hazmat response at , according to a statement from Stony Brook University Monday.

The officers became overwhelmed by the unidentified fumes after responding to an alarm at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences laboratory at 3:40 a.m., according to authorities. The officers were transported to and then Stony Brook University Medical Center, where they were treated and released, university spokeswoman Lauren Sheprow said.

Hazmat teams and firefighters from East Hampton and Southampton towns as well as Manorville and Brookhaven National Lab responded Friday, as well as Stony Brook University Environmental Health and Safety. Emergency responders were sent home around 10:30 a.m. when the scene was determined to be safe, but the investigation continued.

"Although a definitive cause of this incident has not yet been determined, a preliminary review by laboratory safety personnel has concluded that all chemicals were properly stored and that the likely source was acid vapors venting from a bottle inside the fume hood," a university statement reads.

"Due to the coordinated response of university emergency personnel, local volunteer fire departments and their hazardous material teams, this leak was quickly isolated and contained and posed no additional danger to the campus and surrounding areas," the statement go on to say. "Stony Brook University is very much appreciative of the partnership efforts that exist between campus personnel and external agencies who responded to this incident. Laboratory safety personnel are continuing their investigation to confirm the cause of the incident."