HazMasterG3 has tools to assist in the identification of unknown materials based on observed physical attributes or via observed signs and symptoms, both of which were available in this incident.  This is how HazMasterG3 could have assisted in this incident:

Discovery Tools: Using observed attributes on-scene, HazMasterG3 identifies materials based on odors and a broad set of other physical properties (in this case gas or fumes, that were apparently lighter than air).

Signs and Symptoms Tools: From the symptoms mentioned in the story, HazMasterG3 returns the top ranking materials that could have caused the observed signs and symptoms.

HazMasterG3 provides integrated, instant access to the broadest range of critical response information of any mobile system:

• Accredited response SOPs

• Agent specific first aid information

• Physical properties and descriptions

• Detailed signs and symptoms

• Specific protective clothing recommendations

• Agent specific reactivity and special hazards

• Comprehensive Accountability for incident reporting

• Wireless communications

• Seamless integration with other applications

Employees at a local gas company filed out — and some were carried out — of their work place during a hazmat scare Wednesday that left at least 12 people hospitalized and one complaining of chest pains.

Hundreds of employees at Washington Gas briskly walked out of their building, located at 6801 Industrial Road in the Springfield area, after emergency dispatchers received reports of a possible chemical leak at about 3:15 p.m. “The smell was horrendous,” said a Washington Gas employee who declined to give her name. “It smelled like cleaning fluid. We've never had anything like this happen before.” Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, who could not identify the chemical that caused the problem, reported as many as 15 people fainting, with more than another 40 suffering from various symptoms — such as eye irritation, sore throat, dizziness and headaches. Witnesses reported seeing several people being carried out in stretchers and employee was seen wearing an oxygen mask. Some also were seen vomiting at the scene.

Twelve people were sent to local hospitals, including an individual having chest pains, said fire and rescue spokesman Raul Castillo. One witness said the smell was coming from the middle region of the building, across from the cafeteria and near the telephone service office.

Not everyone in the building was evacuated and rescue officials set up an emergency treatment center in the first-floor lobby. Fire officials were unable to locate or identify the chemical that caused the evacuation, which led them to believe it all vented out of the building before they arrived.