Asthma aerosol scare

By Lia Bichel
A TEENAGE girl from Noble Park is refusing to go back to Carwatha College after she suffered an asthma and anxiety attack triggered by aerosol deodorant.
Corey Pendry, 13, said she feels unsafe to return to school after she was deliberately attacked with the spray.
“It happened during PE class,” she said. “I was getting changed, and when I turned around two girls sprayed me with the deodorant.”
Ms Pendry said she received medical treatment after the incident occurred.
“I went to the sick bay, and was stabilised by the doctor,” she said. “I had my puffer and took two lots at school and two at the doctor’s surgery.”
Professor Nick Freezer said household aerosol sprays are not designed to be inhaled.
“These sprays irritate the airways and can cause asthma in susceptible people,” he said, “but fortunately, such cases are rare.”
Principal Bronwyn Hamilton told the Star that students’ safety is paramount at Carwatha College and said the staff acted immediately and efficiently when the incident occurred.
“(Corey was) assisted by the school and her mother contacted immediately after an incident last week,” she said.
“Mediation took place at the school and apologies were offered by a number of girls involved. I’m happy that our staff responded quickly and appropriately in this case.”
Ms Pendry said though the school has welcomed her back, she feels staff have not appropriately punished the girls involved and concerns about safety have deterred her from returning.
“I think it’s dangerous to bring any aerosol cans to school,” she said.
“I just can’t go back there. I don’t feel safe.”