A chlorine mixup at a St. Catharines pool could soon be the subject of a lawsuit.

610 CKTB News has learned Toronto firm Roy Elliott O'Connor Law, is pursuing a $10-million civil suit on behalf of people in & near Lion Dunc Schooley Pool the day a cloud of toxic chlorine gas swept over the water.

The city of St. Catharines & Aquatec Logistics Inc. are named in the statement of claim.

The suit alleges that on July 12th, an Aquatec contractor poured 90L of chlorine into a tank holding 900L of muriatic acid.  The mixup sent white chlorine gas billowing out of a service building & over the nearby pool.

12 people aged 7-50+ were hospitalized.

Lead Lawyer Doug Elliott tells 610 CKTB News the $10-million in damages they're after is what the firm figures would cover the cost of injuries caused to up to 200 people in & near the pool.

He points out chlorine gas is a deadly weapon used in biological warfare, to deliberately kill people.  Elliott says there's a special concern for the longterm well being of kids & teens who inhaled chlorine gas at the Merritton pool, particularly the health of their lungs.

Elliott says it's up to the city & Aquatec to sort out who's responsible for the toxic spill.  But people shouldn't expect to encounter deadly chlorine gas when they use a community pool.  He adds the city & contractor have a responsibilty to cover injury under the Environmental Protection Act.

Court documents for the suit have been filed in Brampton.  The firm opted to file there since Aquatec's head office is in Mississauga.  Elliott expects the case to be certified in 6months.

REO is still adding names to the plaintiff's list.  They could include swimmers at Lion Dunc Schooley Pool, lifeguards & people in these spots from 1pm-8pm on July 12th:

-Carriage Rd, Glendale Ave, Merritt St, Rockwood Ave & Wembley Dr

-Augustine Dr from Carriage Rd to Wembley Dr

For more information contact REO Law at 416-362-1989