Health Department: Defective lightbulb caused eye irritation at Father Judge

Philadelphia Health Department officials believe they’ve found the source of the eye irritation at Father Judge High School that sent cheerleading competition attendees to the hospital earlier this month.

“Based on our current data, the Health Department believes that the defective metal halide bulb exposed persons at the cheerleading competition to UV (ultraviolet) light,” reads a letter the department sent Wednesday to competition attendees. “Fortunately, the health effects associated with UV light exposure resolve quickly and completely. There are no lasting health or vision effects from this type of UV-light injury.”

The school closed for part of the week of Dec. 5 after competition attendees complained of eye irritation following the weekend event at the school.

Archdiocese spokesman Kenneth Gavin tells us the bulb is being fixed and, “the school cooperated fully at every turn.”

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