An accidental discharge of an aerosol insect repellent inside the emergency department at Flinders Medical Centre in Bedford Park, Adelaide, left 19 staff members and contractors reporting respiratory symptoms, prompted a hazardous materials response, and temporarily disrupted hospital services on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
According to SA Health, the incident occurred during a routine patient belongings check when an aerosol insect repellent was accidentally activated. Three staff members were admitted for observation and later discharged the same day, while authorities confirmed that no patients were affected. A review of the incident is now underway with SafeWork SA involved.
The incident occurred at around 2 am on July 23 in the emergency department of Flinders Medical Centre, one of South Australia's busiest public hospitals.
Speaking to reporters from ABC News, SA Health Chief Executive Dr. Robyn Lawrence said staff were conducting a routine safety check of a patient's belongings to identify any items that could pose a risk if the patient was left unattended.
During the inspection, an aerosol insect repellent was accidentally discharged, releasing its contents into the emergency department.
Hospital staff initially managed the spill, but several hours later, multiple workers began developing respiratory symptoms. The Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) was called to the hospital, and hazardous materials protocols were activated while emergency crews assessed the area.
SA Health later confirmed that 19 staff members and contractors reported symptoms following the accidental aerosol release.
Those affected mainly experienced respiratory symptoms, including difficulty breathing. Three staff members required hospital observation before being discharged later that evening after their condition improved.
Throughout the incident, SA Health maintained that no patients became unwell because of the chemical exposure.
The Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) said it continued to monitor the wellbeing of affected staff.
On July 24, SA Health confirmed the product involved was David Grays Outdoor Fogger, an aerosol insect repellent marketed for outdoor use against mosquitoes and flies.
According to the manufacturer's product information, the aerosol contains tetramethrin, permethrin, and citronella oil. The product label advises users to avoid inhaling the spray and states that it is intended for outdoor environments rather than enclosed indoor spaces.
Authorities have not suggested there was any fault with the product itself. Based on information released by SA Health, the aerosol was accidentally activated during the routine belongings check.
Following the incident, parts of the emergency department were temporarily taken out of service while emergency crews conducted atmospheric monitoring and decontamination.
SA Health said 12 of the emergency department's 59 treatment bays were temporarily closed as a precaution while the affected area was assessed.
Ambulance arrivals continued throughout the day, but patient demand was redistributed across Adelaide hospitals to ease pressure on the emergency department.
The Southern Adelaide Local Health Network also postponed around 20 elective surgeries, which are being rescheduled.
By Thursday evening, SA Health confirmed the affected treatment areas had reopened and Flinders Medical Centre had returned to normal clinical operations.
Following the incident, the South Australian Salaried Medical Officers Association (SASMOA) called for a review of the hospital's emergency response.
SASMOA Chief Industrial Officer Bernadette Mulholland said questions remained about how quickly emergency services and workplace safety authorities were notified after staff began experiencing symptoms. She said the incident highlighted the importance of reviewing emergency escalation procedures, particularly while hospitals continue to operate under significant demand.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) South Australia also welcomed a formal review.
AMA SA President Dr. Peter Subramaniam said he was confident SA Health would investigate the incident thoroughly and identify lessons that could strengthen safety procedures for healthcare workers in the future.
SA Health has confirmed that a formal review is underway to examine the circumstances surrounding the accidental aerosol release, with SafeWork SA involved in the investigation.
In an interview with ABC News, Dr. Robyn Lawrence described the incident as "an unfortunate accident" and said the hospital's priority had been protecting both patients and staff while restoring emergency department operations safely.
Authorities have not indicated any intentional wrongdoing. Based on the information released so far, the incident resulted from the accidental activation of an aerosol insect repellent during a routine patient belongings inspection.
(Rh/ARC/MSM)