NEOMED Investigates Odor in The NEW Center

At approximately 9:50 a.m., NEOMED Police and emergency response teams in Portage County were informed that as many as four people were feeling nauseous or light-headed in the NEOMED Education and Wellness (NEW) Center. The NEW Center, which has a separate ventilation system from the University was immediately evacuated.

The Rootstown Fire Department, Portage County Sheriff’s Department, Emergency Management Agency (EMA), HAZMAT and other response teams arrived to investigate the smell which dissipated within an hour of their arrival.  The HAZMAT team monitored the air within the NEW Center and its concentrated areas where the noted nausea took place and were not able to find anything.

Those affected by the smell are now reported to be feeling fine. Officials expect to reopen the facilities within the next hour.

More details will be provided as they become available.