BURBANK KIDS GET INTO VIALS OF BLOOD.Byline: Lee Condon Daily News Staff Writer Four children got into several containers of blood, urine and tissue samples left behind a medical building Tuesday night, raising concerns about a potential health risk, officials said Wednesday. ``It wasn't pretty,'' said Lt. Larry Koch, a spokesman for the Burbank Police Department The Burbank Police Department is the police department serving Burbank, California. Tim Stehr became the Police Chief of the department on August 1, 2007. The previous chiefs were Thomas Hoefel, David Newsham and Glen Bell. . ``They made a pretty big mess. They dumped some of the blood and urine out of the vials and dropped the vials on the ground. There were several containers full of samples.'' The samples were left behind the Lakeside Medical Associates building at 607 S. Glenoaks Blvd. to be picked up so they could be tested at a laboratory. Police have advised the parents of the children involved to have them checked out by their doctors because some of the children, who range in age from 7 to 13, got urine, blood and tissue samples on themselves. Dr. Laurene Mascola, chief of the Acute Communicable Disease communicable disease n. A disease that is transmitted through direct contact with an infected individual or indirectly through a vector. Also called contagious disease. Control Section for Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County, said only the blood samples could pose a health risk, if the children had direct contact with the blood through their mucous membranes Mucous membranes The inner tissue that covers or lines body cavities or canals open to the outside, such as nose and mouth. These membranes secrete mucus and absorb water and salts. Mentioned in: Leprosy, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Topical Anesthesia or an open cut - and only then if the blood is infected in·fect tr.v. in·fect·ed, in·fect·ing, in·fects 1. To contaminate with a pathogenic microorganism or agent. 2. To communicate a pathogen or disease to. 3. To invade and produce infection in. . ``It's not to be taken lightly but you'd have to inject in·ject v. 1. To introduce a substance, such as a drug or vaccine, into a body part. 2. To treat by means of injection. the blood or get it into your system by mucosal Mucosal Refers to tissues that produce mucus, such as the digestive, genital and urinary tracts. Mentioned in: Intestinal Polyps mucosal pertaining to or emanating from mucosa. membranes. The urine is very benign,'' she said. ``There's very low risk of anything.'' Burbank police also said they will consult with health officials about whether the medical center violated any rules by leaving unsecured medical samples outside for pickup. ``It doesn't appear the samples were secured in any way,'' Koch said. Police did not know Wednesday what the samples were being tested for. Officials at the medical facility could not be reached for comment late Wednesday. Officials at the medical facility told police the samples had been placed outside in the containers around 5 p.m. By 7 p.m., the mother of one of the children involved arrived at the facility with a vial vial a small bottle. of blood that her child brought home, Koch said. At that point, Burbank police and firefighters were notified. The Fire Department had the job of cleaning up the mess. Koch said no arrests have been made, but police are investigating the incident. ``There are two parts of this investigation. One is potential theft by the kids,'' Koch said but added that charges might not be filed because of the young age of the children. The incident involved a 7-year-old, a 13-year-old and two 9-year-olds. ``The other part of the investigation is whether there was any violation by the medical center for leaving the samples out there,'' Koch said. |
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