Illness spread rapidly through a McMinnville, Tenn., high school on Nov. 12, 1998. A teacher noted a gasoline-like smell in her classroom and then complained of a headache, nausea, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Several students in her class soon reported similar problems. School officials ended up evacuating the facility amid the din of ambulances, police, and firefighters.
A local emergency room admitted 80 students and 19 staff members; 38 were hospitalized overnight.
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