Hazmat crews decontaminating woman exposed to lead

A woman who was exposed to lead oxide in Hollister and then flown to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose this morning is in serious condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Hospital staff received a call from air ambulance provider CALSTAR of a woman they were flying in from Hollister for exposure to lead oxide and another substance containing lead, hospital spokeswoman Joy Alexiou said.

The woman was initially decontaminated in Hollister along with air emergency responders, Alexiou said.

Medical staff called for a hazardous materials team to respond to the hospital located at 751 S. Bascom Ave. through the Santa Clara County emergency communications service around 10:40 a.m., San Jose Fire Capt. Mitch Matlo said.

A local hazardous materials team was called to remove any residual contaminants on the woman before entering the medical facility, Matlow said.   

The woman was taken to the emergency department, where she is in serious condition, according to Alexiou.

No other patients or medical staff were threatened, Alexiou said.