Last Curry College hockey players released from hospital

By Sarah Favot, Town Correspondent

The last of the Curry College hockey team players who were treated for exposure to nitrogen dioxide has been released from Milton Hospital, a hospital spokesman said.

Players had checked into the hospital last Friday with symptoms of dizziness, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood. Twenty-eight players in all sought treatment at the peak of the emergency, said hospital spokesman Jason Bouffard. Some were admitted into the hospital.

Over the weekend many of the players were released after observation. By Monday, three players were still in the hospital. Two were released later that day, and the final player was sent home Tuesday.

“It is recommended that if someone is exhibiting symptoms that they remain in the hospital for observation for up to 48 hours,” said Bouffard.

Because of patient confidentiality laws, he said he could not comment on whether the players who stayed in the hospital longer than 48 hours had suffered any complications.

Investigators believe the players' illness was caused by fumes from a Zamboni at Johnson & Wales University’s hockey rink in Rhode Island, where the team played last Thursday night.

According to a WHDH report, a visiting team that played at the same rink two weeks ago also felt sick.

The Milton hockey team had to cancel the final game of its regular season on Saturday because of the players’ illness. The game is rescheduled for Thursday at 3:35 p.m. at Ulin Rink in Milton, according to Curry College spokeswoman Fran Jackson.

The team has been selected as the top seed in the ECAC Division III Northeast Championship Tournament, said Jackson.

The hockey team's coaches were not immediately available for comment.

Bouffard said that he does not know of anyone else being admitted to Milton Hospital for exposure to nitrogen dioxide at hockey arenas. He said that, to his knowledge, it isn’t a common occurrence.

Earlier this month, NBC’s Today Show featured an investigation into the dangers of exposure to nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other ultra-fine particles produced by ice resurfacers at indoor ice rinks.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s website, new standards have been set for emissions from ice resurfacers in the past five years. New machines that meet the most stringent standards reduce nitrous oxide emissions by about 80 percent, according to the website.

Sarah Favot can be reached at sarah.yourtown@gmail.com.