Students taken to hospital following acid spill in Canberra school

Thirteen students have been taken to hospital after being exposed to sulphuric acid at a school today in Gungahlin, north of Canberra.

A number of students suffered minor burns caused by a small explosion in the science laboratory of Burgmann Anglican School in The Valley Avenue.

Firefighters and intensive care paramedics treated teachers and students from the class of 22 people.

Students had been observing an experiment involving sugar and sulphuric acid when the glass container containing the acid exploded.

Deputy Principal John Foulcher told Fairfax Media the students had been taken to hospital either as a precautionary measure, or to be treated for minor burns caused by the explosion, not from the acid.

The ACT Emergency Services Agency said injuries were minor, with five children taken to Calvary Hospital and eight to Canberra Hospital.

The small spill was contained by firefighters.