The group of 11 soldiers who fell ill at Fort Bliss on Thursday fell ill from drinking ethylene glycol, the main antifreeze chemical, the Army said on Friday. Army officials said it appears that Texas soldiers, who showed “significant improvement” in their health at night, believed they were drinking alcohol.
“On January 28, 11 Fort Bliss soldiers were injured after ingesting an unknown substance during a field training exercise. Initial reports indicate that the soldiers consumed the substance thinking they were drinking an alcoholic beverage,” said Lt. Col. Allie Payne. Payne noted that soldiers are not allowed to drink alcohol on duty or during training exercises.
“Initial laboratory assessments indicate that soldiers are suffering from ethylene glycol poisoning,” said Payne. Afterwards, she added that “the laboratory results indicate the toxic substance commonly referred to [as] antifreeze.”
Payne said the soldiers, who are assigned to the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, ingested the substance on the last day of a 10-day field training exercise after completing the exercise.
The soldiers sought treatment at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center that morning, Payne said. They all remain in the center, although up to four are due to be released on Friday. Two soldiers who were in critical condition on Thursday remain “seriously ill” and are in the ICU, she said.
But Col. Shawna Scully, deputy commander of the medical center, said all 11 showed signs of “significant improvement” overnight. A soldier was extubated on Friday and everyone is “incredibly well,” said Scully.
The Army is investigating the incident. When asked if those involved were disciplined, Payne said the Army’s priority is to treat wounded soldiers. These 11 soldiers are the only ones who allegedly ingested the liquid, she said.
Ingesting ethylene glycol can cause immediate kidney damage, and ingesting high enough amounts can lead to organ failure, Scully said. It is not clear how much of the substance each soldier ingested.