11 Fort Bliss Soldiers Drank Chemical Found In Antifreeze Thinking It Was Alcohol

Eleven soldiers were sickened after ingesting an industrial compound found in antifreeze during a 10-day field training exercise at Fort Bliss in Texas.

ABC News reports that Lt. Col. Allie Payne, the public affairs officer for the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, said during a press conference on Friday that initial laboratory reports revealed the soldiers ingested ethylene glycol. Ethylene Glycol is a substance found in automotive products, including engine coolant and brake fluid.

The 11 soldiers consumed the substance believing they were drinking an alcoholic beverage. They were all being treated at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. Two of the soldiers were initially listed in critical condition but have since improved. 

The hospital provided an antidote treatment within the first 24 hours, USA Today reports.

“Army personnel are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages while on duty when involved in a training environment,” according to Payne.

According to Payne, all 11 soldiers who became sick are apart of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command. No other soldiers appear to be affected.

At this time, the circumstances surrounding the event are still under investigation by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. The Fort Bliss senior commander requested an administrative investigation.