Peppered playground led to school evacuation

[Hum]

Habanero peppers hidden on a playground led to the evacuation of a school and the hospitalization of several Lakewood, Colorado, students on Monday.

Students had complained of skin and eye irritation. Officials were initially unsure what was causing the illnesses, according to 9 News. On Tuesday, authorities announced that the "toxic irritant" was pieces of about six habanero peppers that had been mixed in with the playground's wood chips.

 Jefferson County schools spokesperson Lynn Setzer told the Associated Press it isn't yet known how the peppers ended up on the playground.

Police, firefighters, and a hazardous materials team all responded to the scene. Students ranging from prekindergarten through 12th grade attend the school. Some were treated on the scene; others were taken to the hospital for further observation.

Following the evacuation, all students were sent home. The school was closed on Tuesday so that playground equipment and indoor surfaces could be cleaned. Classes are expected to resume on Wednesday. Authorities don't expect any long-term effects, according to 9 News.

It may sound ridiculous that a few peppers could lead to hospitalizations and the closing of an entire school, but habaneros are many times hotter than the spicy jalapenos that are familiar to many people. It's recommended to wear gloves even just to touch habanero peppers.

A habanero can score between 200,000 and 300,000 Scoville heat units. A jalapeno, by comparison, scores a comparatively frosty 5,000.

source & video

[compl3x]

A few weeks ago some ###### put razor blades around a playground, now it is habaneros. I'm scared to find out what twisted thing the next sicko thinks up.

[DocM]

They'll skip the wimpy habaneros and go straight to the 5-6x hotter Bhut Jolokia's.

Or they could send them here and we'll put them in some chili.

[He's Dead Jim]

Thats better than super glue on the door handles trick

[Krome]

A lot of coocoohead people.  Trying to harm other for pleasure(?) is retarded.

[Hum]

cool prank

[Gerowen]

Wonder if a reactions video will show up on YouTube any time soon.

[compl3x]

cool prank

 

 

Not really. If you've ever accidentally rubbed chilli in your eye or near your nose you'd know just how agonising it can be.

 

If you had no idea what the cause was and you felt that pain you'd be panicking pretty hard.

[DocM]

Kidding aside, it can be bad on asthmatics too. The fuse that can light the bomb.

[Sadelwo]

Kidding aside, it can be bad on asthmatics too. The fuse that can light the bomb.

 

Exactly, it could put someone's kid in a life threatening situation, not funny at all. What pathetic person gets a kick out of harming little kids? This crazy's life must be really dull and empty.

[Hum]

What pathetic person gets a kick out of harming little kids? This crazy's life must be really dull and empty.

Well little kids have harmed me, many times -- seems fair to return the favor, on occassion. ;)

[compl3x]

Well little kids have harmed me, many times -- seems fair to return the favor, on occassion. ;)

 

You're super weird.